James “Jim” Cardwell, Jr. 85, of South Charleston, died February 5, 2009, after a brief illness. He was a native of McDowell County and the son of Rufus Franklin and Lena Vell (Burnett) Cardwell. His early work life included more than a decade in coal mining, In 1960, he and his family moved to Charleston where he began a successful association with The Prudential Insurance Company. Between 1971 and 1997, he was named twenty-four times to Prudential’s prestigious Million Dollar Round Table.
The continuing influence of Jim’s life is felt through his gift for developing relationships and forging friendships. His generosity of spirit was expressed in many ways, private and public, including support of the University of Charleston, the Church of Nazarene, and West Virginia Health Right. He was a proud West Virginian with a gift for storytelling and a wicked sense of humor.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Joseph, Mason, and Daniel. He is survived by his beloved and loving wife of nearly sixty-five years, Loretta June (Dove) Cardwell; their children and spouses, Connie Snodgrass of Leesburg, VA; Beverly DeBord of Springfield, OH; Karen Teel and husband Brooks Teel of South Charleston; Nancy Knurek and husband, Chuck Knurek of South Charleston; Cathy McCue and husband, David McCueof Plano, TX; David Cardwell and wife, Laura Cardwell of Abilene, TX; grandchildren and spouses John Snodgrass of Washington, D.C.: Elizabeth Snodgrass of London England; Charles DeBord and wife, Amanda DeBord of Lexington, KY; Rodgers Harshbarger and wife, Kate Harshbarger of Chapel Hill, NC; Sam Harshbarger of South Charleston; John Michael Harshbarger of Morgantown; Bryan Knurek and wife, Holly Knurek of Milford Center, OH; Melissa Buckley and husband Jacob Bucklew of Fairmont, WV; Allison Taylor and husband, Jamie Taylor of Alexandria, VA; Katie Vaden and husband, Ray Vaden of Porter, TX; Chris Cardwell and wife Jami Cardwell of San Antonio, TX; great granddaughters: Kennedy Knurek, Lucy Harshbarger and Katharine Snodgrass; sister, Margaret Geneva Ball of Tazewell, VA; and brother, Franklin Lane Cardwell of Auburndale, FL.
Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Curry Funeral Home, 2097 Childress Road, Alum Creek with the Reverend Kent Estep of South Charleston First Church of Nazarene officiating. Viewing will be from 1:00-2:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Graceland Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to First Church of the Nazarene, 4923 Kentucky St., South Charleston, WV 25309 and West Virginia Health Right, 1520 Washington St. E. Charleston, WV 25311.