All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

John “Rat” Lee

John “Rat” Lee, age 72, of Buckhannon, WV, died Sunday, September 7, 2025, at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Buckhannon. He was the son of the late John Kyle and Phyllis Ann Adams Lee.

On October 10, 2020, he married the love of his life, Nancy Hitt Lee, who survives.

He is also survived by three children: Barbara Linger and husband Donald of Buckhannon; James Allman and wife Ashley of Bridgeport, WV; and Michelle Tressler and boyfriend Shawn Lawyer of Carlisle, PA; fourteen grandchildren: Rebecca Kittle and husband Darrel; Donald Linger and wife Thelma; Jennifer and Jessica Linger, all of Buckhannon; Hannah Jones and husband Ronald of Rock Cave, WV; Shyanna Linger of Buckhannon; Gabrielle Tressler of Carlisle; Tyler Tressler of Ft. Benning, GA; Shelby Allman of Bridgeport; Delaney Lawyer of Carlisle; James Allman of Bridgeport; Peyton Lawyer of Carlisle; and Madison Hutton and Adaline Allman, both of Bridgeport; seven great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and friends Bob Grill and Eddie Jones.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Rebecca Lee.

Mr. Lee was a truck driver, retiring from GNC Trucking after over 19 years of service and GNH Trucking after 11 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching auto racing, college football, and golf.

Friends will be received Wednesday, September 10, 2025, from 4 PM to 8 PM at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. In honoring Mr. Lee’s wishes, he will be cremated following the visitation.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

My Buckhannon publishes obituaries free of charge as a courtesy to the family. Readers can support our publication by becoming a premium member.

Share this obituary:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Carpenter Crunch Time Week 13: A lot of blowouts in the first-round of high school playoffs

The high school playoff first round featured mostly blowouts with few upsets — only five lower seeds advanced, Robert C. Byrd’s No. 14 win the biggest surprise — while columnist Duane Carpenter also shared picks and a staff contest update.

Wesleyan volleyball wins tournament opener over Glenville State, 3-1

West Virginia Wesleyan defeated Glenville State 3-1 (25-23, 26-28, 25-22, 25-20) behind strong hitting from Emily Denison and balanced setting from Claire Wheeler to advance to the Mountain East Conference semifinals.

U.S. Attorney says dozens of defendants sentenced during government shutdown

United States Attorney Matthew L. Harvey announced that his office facilitated more than 70 sentences during the 43-day government shutdown, including several defendants from Buckhannon, Clarksburg and Fairmont.

State superintendent approves Rock Cave Elementary closure; final vote set for Dec. 10 in Charleston

In a brief meeting Thursday night, a state-appointed official approved the closure of Rock Cave Elementary School on behalf of State Superintendent Michelle Blatt. The decision now moves to the West Virginia Board of Education for a final vote. The five elected Upshur County Board of Education members had no say in the decision.

LUCAS to offer lung cancer screening in Green Bank, Elkins, Buckhannon and Rowlesburg

LUCAS, WVU Medicine’s mobile lung cancer screening unit, will visit four West Virginia locations in December offering low-dose CT scans. Appointments must be made at least 14 days in advance.
WVWC Football Feature Image

WVWC announces change in football leadership as Martin and staff will not return for 2026 season

West Virginia Wesleyan College announced Coach Dwyane Martin and the rest of the football coaching staff will not return, beginning an immediate search for new leadership after the program’s 34-game losing streak.

Raising the Jolly Roger With… Sidney Hollen

Buckhannon-Upshur senior soccer standout Sidney Hollen reflects on her varsity career, memorable sectional win, tough conditioning practices, Buccaneer spirit, college soccer plans and aspirations to become an environmental engineer.

Three Lady Bucs earn Big 10 All-Conference Volleyball honors

Buckhannon-Upshur placed three players on the 2025 Big 10 All-Conference Volleyball Team, with senior Reagan Mason on the First Team and juniors Alivia Cogar and Avery Harmer on the Second Team.
WVWC Football Feature Image

Football ‘Cats land two players on MEC All-Conference Team

West Liberty’s Hunter Patterson and Charleston’s Aden Miller head a slate of Mountain East Conference award winners and All-MEC team selections, with Frostburg State’s Eric Wagoner named Coach of the Year.
WVWC Volleyball

MEC announces all-conference volleyball awards; WVWC’s Wheeler named Coach of the Year, Axe selected to First Team

The Mountain East Conference announced its 2025 volleyball awards and all-conference teams, naming Fairmont State’s Joey Borelle Player of the Year, Josie Skinn Libero of the Year, Wheeling’s Camryn Matus Freshman of the Year, and Nancy Wheeler Coach of the Year, with WVWC’s Bhrooke Axe on the First Team.

Three WVWC students join Lambda Pi Eta honor society

West Virginia Wesleyan College recently inducted three students into the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society. Students must meet strict academic requirements to qualify for the Communication Department honor society.

Rock Cave parents, teachers make final plea to school board before closure vote

Several speakers urged the Upshur County Board of Education to keep Rock Cave Elementary open during Tuesday’s regular meeting. A board of state-appointed officials will vote on the closure Thursday at 5:30 p.m.