Dr. John Coe Sencindiver, age 78, of French Creek, found his peace surrounded by family, Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at his home. He was born on August 21, 1948, in Martinsburg, WV, the son of the late John Lee and Mary Lee Hollida Sencindiver.
On November 3, 2001, he was united in marriage to Sharon Ann Trainer, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters: Susan Shelton and husband Craig of Flemington and Amy Rhodes and husband Matt of St. Albans; one son, Matt Sencindiver and wife Jacie of Fairmont; one stepdaughter, Alexis Sabo of Marshall, NC; two stepsons: Jeremy McGill and wife Elaine of Buckhannon and Ian Sabo and wife Alex of Hot Springs, NC; twelve grandchildren: Alex Shelton, Kyia McGill, Abby and husband Cole Carpenter, Aleecia Shelton, Emma McGill, JD Rhodes, Eric McGill, Caleb Rhodes, Avery Shelton, Eli and Jude Sencindiver, and Greta Sabo; two great-grandchildren: Hudson and Haisley Blake; two sisters: Karen Lee Clohan and husband Kenny of Martinsburg and Mary Irene Curry and husband Jim of Lakewood, CO; three nephews: Jamie, Brian, and Aaron Whitacre; “all the cousins”; and Mittens the cat.
John spent his early years on a farm in the eastern panhandle of WV, where he grew an astounding love of farming & horses. John was in ROTC in his college years & transitioned to the Army Reserves and was a proud veteran.
He graduated from Martinsburg High School, Class of 1966. John received an Associate of Arts degree from Potomac State College and a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University in Soil Science. Working with Richard M. Smith, John received his PhD and was a pioneer in mine soil classification.
After a short stint with the USDA, he was hired at WVU, where he taught a variety of classes including soil development, soil survey, soil physics, and land reclamation, and he earned several outstanding teaching awards. He trained the WVU soil judging team for annual collegiate competitions and advised the Plant & Soil Science Club. His students were always first with John, and he advised hundreds of undergraduate students and trained more than 30 graduate students, & they called him DOC.
His research was internationally recognized and focused on acid soils, mine soil classification, and mine land reclamation. He and his students published more than 50 scientific articles. John also served in administrative positions as interim Director of Plant & Soil Sciences and Associate Director of the WVU Experiment Station.
He was also active in numerous professional societies and often served in leadership positions in the American Society of Reclamation and the Soil and Water Conservation Society. He was a founding member of the Mine Drainage Task Force and worked closely with the National Cooperative Soil Survey.
John received many awards including induction to the WV Agricultural and Forestry Hall of Fame, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Reclamation, Fellow of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, and the Silver Spade Award. John had an illustrious 30-year career at WVU and was admired and respected by his colleagues and students for his cheerfulness, kindness, and generosity.
After retirement, John served as chairman of the WesMonTy, RC&D, and on the Tygarts Valley Conservation District Board of Supervisors, and he was active with the WV Envirothon.
While he had great success in teaching, John was enthusiastic and very active in teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and much more. He lived a Christian life and never wavered from his true beliefs and consistently read many versions of the Bible every day.
John loved to travel to new places all over the world with Sharon. He had visited all US states (except the Dakotas). He especially loved time with family and big family gatherings, horseback riding, camping, and gardening. His happy place was the great outdoors, and he loved walking trails.
The family will receive friends at the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel on Monday, October 26, 2026, from 4–7 p.m. The body will be moved to Christian Fellowship Church, where a funeral service will be held on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 10 a.m., with the Rev. J. Edward McDaniels officiating. Interment will follow in the French Creek Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a contribution to your favorite charity in remembrance of John.
Online condolences may be extended to the family at www.heavnerandcutright.com. The family of Dr. Sencindiver entrusted the Heavner & Cutright Funeral Chapel with the arrangements.
