James Franklin Holston

James Franklin Holston, husband of Karen (Seal) Holston, age 82, of Sugar Grove, WV, passed away Saturday, November 7, 2026 at his home.

He was born in Maryland, on April 11, 1944, a son to the late Estell William Holston and Stella May (Musser) Holston.

James grew up in Gaithersburg, MD, where he graduated in 1962 and met his beloved wife, Karen. Introduced to each other through family, James and Karen would go on to have their first date at church and later marry in September of 1963. They remained dedicated to each other in marriage for the following 63 years.

In 1993, James and his brother started their own business, “Holston Brothers Inc.”, where they specialized in trucking and landscaping. After retirement, he and Karen moved to Sugar Grove, WV, where they would make their home. It was there he started his second business, “J&J Septic,” which he ran alongside his good friend, Jeffrey Radar, until 2024.

James and Karen made the most of his retirement by spending their time surrounded by their family and countless friends. An avid deer hunter, James also enjoyed time spent in the outdoors. He was well loved by his community, and will be remembered for how he was never too busy to slow down to visit a friend or lend a helping hand to a neighbor.

Above all, James will be remembered for his strong work ethic and his deep dedication to his family.

Along with his loving wife, James is survived by a son, James Holston, II and wife, Jackie, of Kearneysville, WV; daughters, Penny Bynaker of Monrovia, MD and Joanne Burgess and husband, Jerry, of Hagerstown, MD; grandchildren, April and husband, Steven, Scott and girlfriend, Tessa, Adam, Nicole and husband, Brad, Jeffrey and wife, Michelle; two brothers, Robert Holston and wife, Carol, of Boonesboro, MD and Brake Holston and wife, Bonnie, of Monrovia, MD; sister, Charlotte Light of PA; as well as ten great grandchildren.

Also counted among his family are his special friends, Jeffrey and Maxine Radar, Phil Radar, and many, many neighbors.

In addition to his parents, James was predeceased by five brothers and two sisters.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, November 12, 2026 at Obaugh Funeral Home in McDowell, VA, with Pastor Sherri Schafer officiating. A committal service will be held the following day, on Friday, November 13, 2026, in Seal Family Cemetery, in Etchison, MD.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to South Fork Rescue Squad, c/o Charlotte Hoover, P.O. Box 55, Sugar Grove, WV, 26815.