Obituary of Theodore Judy

Theodore Milton Judy, son of the late George Eston and Amy Elizabeth (Shaffer) Judy of Romney, WV, departed from this life on Thursday, March 4, 2010, at his home in the loving presence of his family, thus ending his lifetime struggle to be independent in his needs, and to be that of assistance to others. He was born on April 12, 1934, in Cumberland, MD. After graduating in 1952, from Romney High School in Romney WV, Mr. Judy moved to Morgantown to begin his higher educational pursuits. While enrolled as a student at West Virginia University, he acquired a severe case of poliomyelitis at the age of 21. He spent several years in rehabilitation, many of those in the world renowned Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center near Atlanta, GA. He later returned to WVU and completed his Bachelors of Arts and Sciences in 1960 and a Masters of Arts in Library Sciences in 1963. He continued to pursue a PhD in plant sciences until his physical limitations, resulting from polio, interfered with his ability to do the precise type of work he was seeking. During his youth, Mr. Judy became an Eagle Scout and worked diligently to apply the principles of scouting throughout his lifetime. When his children became of age, he became a Scout Master to assist them and their friends in gaining the same opportunities that scouting had afforded him. Mr. Judy was employed in the WVU library system beginning in 1959, and later became the Physical Sciences Librarian and Assistant Professor of Library Science, where he remained until his forced retirement in 1994, due to serious medical complications. While in his capacity as librarian, Mr. Judy traveled to Pittsburgh to complete a Masters of Science degree in Information Technology at the University of Pittsburgh in 1977, while he continued his full time work. In 1968, Mr. Judy had the privilege of working with the Rockefeller Foundation in the development of a computer based bibliography of the plant sciences in East Africa. While the foundation had previously established libraries in those countries, their need to provide a means to access the vast amount of resources necessary to meet their goal had not been successful. The multi volume âPlant Sciences in East Africa,â published in 1971, met that need. In 1972, Mr. Judy was elected to Morgantown City Council representing citizens of the seventh ward. While there, he worked diligently to implement the cities sidewalk building program into the neighborhoods to provide safety for children and adults in their daily activities, to expand municipal recreational facilities into all areas of the city where there was a concentration of potential users, to update the zoning ordinance and building code to assist in providing a meaningful comprehensive plan for the city and to generally make city government more responsive to the needs of all of its citizens. He had an intense interest in the principle of providing every citizen an equal opportunity to have a voice in government issues. Therefore, he worked for many years to require city, state, and country entities to establish their voting districts so that all citizens received equal representation based on population. Reapportionment activities continue today as part of the implementation of the âone man â" one vote conceptâ he pursued and ultimately achieved. Throughout his lifetime, he was keenly aware of the needs of others less fortunate than he, and contributed extensively to various direct service organizations and to projects that would embrace the independence and improved self concept of school aged children. As a further symbol of his love for children, and of his own childrenâs devotion to him, his name is listed among those others fathers so honored, by the John F. Kennedy memorial located in Star City. In addition to spending time with his grandchildren, he enjoyed travel, listening to classical music and opera, reading historical literature, and stamp collecting. Mr. Judy is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara Turner Judy and three children Milton Lee Judy and wife Wendy of Morgantown, Phillip Randall Judy of Milpitas, CA, and Susan Lynn Judy of Morgantown. His pride and joy are his three grandchildren Lee Anthony Nickles, Natasha Dawn Nickles, and Madalyn Leigh Judy, all of Morgantown. He also has a brother, Louis Martin and a sister, Julia Jean, both of whom reside in NC.He was preceded in death by his first son, Bryson Gregory Judy in 1973. At his request, cremation services were provided by Hastings Funeral Home with final interment to be in the Arnettsville Cemetery at a later date. A memorial visitation will be held at Hastings Funeral Home, 153 Spruce St., from 6-8pm on Sunday, March 7, and from 10-11am Monday, March 8. The memorial service will be held at 11am Monday, in the funeral home with Rev. Reba Thurmond officiating. The family wishes to extend a personal recognition of appreciation to his physician, Dr. Christine Kincaid, for her thoughtful and caring attention to his needs. She is truly a dedicated professional whose concerns for the well being of others is extraordinary. While the family appreciates floral remembrances, contributions may also be made in his name to the Greater Morgantown Community Trust (GMCT), where a scholarship fund for disadvantaged children will be established in his name. GMCT is located at PO Box 409. Morgantown, WV 26507.