On Thursday (Nov. 15, 2012), the world lost a loving, caring, generous man and heaven gained a new son.

Born Feb. 11, 1920 in Mannington, during a time of hardship to Harrison and Mandora Grubb, he learned the importance of family and sharing with others. Many people knew him as June (for Junior) or Grubby.

Harrison, a master builder, taught his son many construction skills such as masonry, carpentry and design, skills Harry enjoyed using during his entire life. He was never happier than when he was building and creating a new project or helping out a neighbor with a problem.

Harry graduated from Mannington High School and went to work as an accountant for Bower’s Pottery. One day before his birthday in 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Originally assigned to Gen. Patton’s unit, he was reassigned as a communications instructor stateside when his radio and teaching skills were discovered. He became a communication chief. While serving his country he became seriously ill and spent more than a year in the army hospital before being honorably medically discharged as a staff sergeant on June 25, 1943.

While still recovering, Harry first saw the love of his life, Jean Ruth West, of Mannington. Before they were even introduced, he told his friend, “That is the girl I am going to marry.” After a whirlwind courtship of less than a month, they married on July 22, 1944, at the Methodist Parsonage in Mannington, followed by 68 years of married bliss. They had one child, Dora Kay Grubb.

Harry and Jean decided to enroll in beauty school on the G.I. Bill. After graduation, he accepted a management position in the owner’s beauty school in Wheeling. He quickly decided that this was not his life work.

In 1955 he began his career with the Rivesville Power Station where he quickly rose through the ranks. He retired in 1986 as the plant manager of operations. One of the awards he won was from the Energy Research and Development Administration of the USA for his contribution to the operational development of the world’s first multi-cell, coal-burning, fluidized-bed boiler for steam-electric generation.

Preceding him in death were his brother, William Grubb and wife and daughter, Voncile and Billie; his sister, Mabel and Faye Villers; his sister, Flossie and Edward Costello; and his sister, Ruby McGlumphy.

Surviving family are his sister, Roxie Shrader; his niece, Judy and John Kline and their children; and his niece, Betty and John Narog and their children. He included in his family Jim Malick and his family and Alice Keechel and her family.

Harry had a strong Christian faith and a deep commitment to Jesus his savior. He was a member of Central Methodist Church in Fairmont. He took great pleasure in gardening as well as construction and repair. He was an excellent bowler and golfer until his health began to fail.

He was a 50+ Master Mason of The Grand Lodge 9 of Fairmont. He was a member of Disabled American Veterans and the Mountaineer Ham Radio Association where he was an officer. He was a former member of the Elks Club.

Grubby is now reunited with his family and many friends who have passed before. He is no longer in the pain that followed him most of his life. During his life he helped many people along the way who had troubles. He believed “what goes around comes around” and always followed the commandment “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” He was never “too busy” for anyone of any age.

Friends and family may call at Masters Funeral Home, 209 Main St., Mannington, from 10 a.m. to noon Monday. The funeral service will be held at the funeral home at noon Monday with military honors. The Rev. Hal Heavner, the Rev. James Malick and the Rev. D.D Meighen will be officiating. Burial services will be held immediately following at the family cemetery, Rymer’s, in Mannington.

The family would like to thank Fairmont Hospice and the Golden Living Center in Morgantown for their care and concern during the last two weeks.

Harry requested no flowers. He requested that memorial donations be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the food pantry at Central United Methodist Church at 301 Fairmont Ave., Fairmont, WV 26554.

Online condolences may be left for the family at http://www.mastersfuneralhomewv.com.