John Erman Gygax, 79, formally of Buckhannon, West Virginia, passed away in Atlanta, Georgia on July 28 after many years of battling illness. A graveside service will be held on August 10, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at Heavner Cemetery, Buckhannon, WV.
John was born in Philippi, West Virginia, on November 18, 1944. He grew up in the Kanawha Valley in Belle, WV and attended Dupont High School. There he lettered in wrestling and graduated in 1962. He had a great love for history, botany, literature, and geography, and studied at many institutions across West Virginia. He earned degrees in English at his beloved West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) and a master’s in Geography from Marshall University.
After graduating from WVWC, he attended military service in the Army, where he traveled and served in Germany. He also worked as a park superintendent at Lost River State Park, Valley Falls State Park, and Babcock State Park.
John spent the majority of his career as a schoolteacher, adjunct professor, researcher, author, and mentor. He instructed at different schools throughout West Virginia and was a Geography instructor at various collegiate institutions in North Carolina. He worked for West Virginia University leading the High School driven Health Sciences summer courses.
He was a legacy member of the Scottish Rite Freemasons in Charleston and other cities where he achieved the status of Supreme Council 33 degree. John was also a member of both Methodist and Presbyterian churches. There he led Bible studies, Sunday schools, and achieved elder member status at North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church.
John is survived by his two sons, Matthew Brent & Samantha of Roswell, Georgia, John Daniel & Jennifer of Vallejo, California, and blessed with five grandchildren: Michael (Isabel), Jessica, Jacqueline, Josephine, Kathryn. His sister Gretchen, nieces, nephews, and friends also survive him. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Alice Gygax.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to WV Wesleyan College, sent to Office of Advancement, 59 College Ave, Buckhannon, WV 26201, and marked in memory of John Gygax, or go to wvwc.edu/give, click Give Now, and use the drop down designation box to specify in memory of John Gygax.
The family also wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the US Veterans Administration, who over the years took such wonderful and attentive care of him. John will always be remembered for his high energy, love of travel and adventure, family, and seeing the beauty around West Virginia. This small bio only remotely touches on the impact he had on other people’s lives.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
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