James H. McConkey was born on August 11, 1938 in Copen, WV the only son to James Flavil (JF) and Mary Elizabeth (Smith) McConkey in the house built by his grandfather George W. McConkey. The family moved to Malta, Ohio in 1941 and purchased a farm which remains part of the family farm. He attended school at Ringgold Elementary and later attended Malta Elementary where he had a first-year teacher who challenged the 8th grade class to build an abacus. James had his built and turned in the next day. James credited this teacher for inspiring him to learn and for his achievement of scoring the highest score in the county on the eighth-grade test. He attended M&M high school and graduated with the class of 1956. While in high school he took Vocational Agriculture courses and entered animals at the county and state fair, obtained the FFA state farmer degree, and then went to Kansas City to the National FFA conference.  He worked with his father on the family farm, and at age 17 he bought his first 80 acres from Pete Spears.  James served in the Army National Guard from his senior year of high school through 1963.  James married Janice Wilson, daughter of Ivan L. and Gertrude (Miller) Wilson, December 22, 1962, and set up housekeeping at the Pete Spears farm. Their daughter, Sharon Sue, was born October 28, 1965. Sharon graduated with the Morgan High School class of 1984, and earned a BS in Elementary Education from Ohio University in 1990. She taught k-8 on her certificate then, when a secondary math teacher wasn't available, She spent several years teaching 9-12 and advanced math classes. She earned her secondary math certification through this teaching. As an incentive to her students, she obtained and taught 3-D printing. Sharon married Larry E. Reed II, (deceased) and they had one son.  James and Janice's son, James (Jim) David, was born October 12, 1968. Jim graduated with

the Morgan High School Class of 1987 and worked alongside his father while obtaining his nursing degree. He moved his family to Arizona in 2006, where, after working as an ICU nurse and software support specialist, he was hired as a supervisor with Homeland Security for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Jim married Catherine (Cathy) Marie (Knight) and they had 4 children. Cathy served as caregiver for James, and was referred to as his 3rd daughter.  James and Janice's daughter, Sara Lynn, was born January 18, 1982. Sara graduated as valedictorian with the Morgan High School Class of 2000 and earned a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Sara went to work as a production engineer on an oil platform in the Gulf of America for 13 years. She is now an Engineering Advisor for Occidental. Sara married Josh Rosenbalm, and they have 2 children.  James saw his children's families and their successes as his real legacy. His motto for them was: "One truck full of talented and gifted won't equal one shovel full of ambition, determination and good hard work".  James bought his first Caterpillar dozer in the late 60s and continued farming as he built his businesses and expanded the farm operations cross country to Arizona.  In 1977, James was named Farmer of the year by the M&M Kiwanis Club. He served on the board of supervisors for the soil conservation service, where he worked diligently, but unsuccessfully, to keep Russian olive out of the wild life packets because he knew from research it was a noxious plant that would spread.  James received a patent for his design of the McConkey Fireplace Furnace which was manufactured and sold in the surrounding states from the mid-70s to 90s.  James, and other landowners in the area, contacted Gulf Oil Company and secured leases to drill core samples for coal. He prepared and reclaimed the sites for the exploration and continued adding heavy equipment and working with the developing oil and gas drilling and production with site building and reclamation, as well as fluid hauling, including hazardous materials, using vacuum trucks in the tri-state area, through the early 2000's.  As he and his son, Jim, continued to build his businesses, he purchased aluminum concrete forms for the purpose of pouring walls for himself and basements, foundations and retaining walls for others in the tristate area. During this time, he continued to farm in Union, Malta and Deerfield townships of Morgan County.  In 2001 he started a new venture in Arizona, adding irrigated crop ground. He added an additional home in Buckeye in Arizona in 2004, which he later sold to his granddaughter, and built a new winter home in 2008.  James and Sara purchased crop acreage in Fairfield County.  He started as a farmer, but was always looking for the next adventure. He has found a better place for this last one.  James is survived by his wife of over 62 years, a sister, his 3 children, 7 grandchildren; Jesse Lee Reed (Mirisa), Danielle Marie (McConkey) Keck (Casey), James Thomas (Tina), Jonathon Michael, Mary Elizabeth, Joshua Lucas, and Nicholas Alexander. 10 great grandchildren; Austin (Kayla), Elise, Kayden, Aurora, Athena, Daniel, Jax, James David II, Olivia, and Emily.  1 great great grandchild, Thomas John.  The Song, Buy Dirt by Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan describes him well.   Services will be held on Thurs, Feb. 6, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. at the Copen Methodist Church in Copen W.Va.  A visitation will be held on Weds, Feb. 5 from 4-6 P.M. at the Matheney Funeral Home in McConnelsville.  To send a note of condolence to the family go to www.matheneyfh.com