Obituary of Jack Cawthon

Jack D. Cawthon, 86, of Morgantown, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2020, at Sundale Nursing Home. He was born March 9, 1934 near Letter Gap, Gilmer County, WV, the son of the late Elmer R. Cawthon and Ruth Frashure Cawthon. Jack was a graduate of Glenville High School. He received a B.A. from Glenville State in 1957. While in college, Jack served as editor and columnist for the Glenville Pathfinder. His column was awarded first place in a WV weekly newspaper competition in 1956 by the WV Press Association. He was an excellent photographer. He was named editor of the former WV Conservation Magazine in 1957, which later became Wonderful WV magazine, where he left in 1962 to become a part-time lecturer in journalism at WVU and do graduate study. In 1964, he became an editor of publications at WVU serving 20 years. He wrote a column for Jim Comstock's WV Hillbilly weekly publication. After the demise of Hillbilly, he wrote a column for the online newspaper Hur Herald titled Cawthon's Catharsis. His favorite pastime was walking the land, especially his boyhood homeplace on Barbecue Run in Gilmer County WV. He married Shirley Jean Russell on September 21, 1957. He is survived by his wife and two sons: Jeffery with spouse Michele Martin Cawthon and Brandon Cawthon. He was predeceased by his parents and a brother Elmer R. Cawthon, Jr. In accordance with his wishes, Hastings Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation arrangements. Due to COVID, we will not be holding any service at this time, but a Memorial Service will be held in the future. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jack’s behalf to St. Ursula Food Pantry & Outreach, P O Box 18, Pursglove, WV 26546 Online condolences may be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.