James Madison Pollard Jr.

James Madison Pollard, Jr., 90, ascended from this Earth with grace and dignity on June 20, 2019. “Jimmie” was born November 3, 1928, at home on Chapman Street in Ashland, Virginia, to James Madison Pollard Sr. and Annie Hutchinson Pollard. He enjoyed many years of laughter with his younger brother, Overton Pollard, who passed away in 2018. Jim was a lifelong resident of Ashland, attending First Baptist Church, where he served as Treasurer for 19 years. After graduating from Henry Clay High School, he continued his education by attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute (Go Hokies!) and was a member of the Corps of Cadets, earning a commission in the U.S. Air Force Reserve after four years of ROTC. He returned to Ashland to await his call to active duty. Jim met the love of his life, Marilyn Kastelberg, in the summer of 1949, and they were married June 7, 1952. After two years of active military duty and a brief stay in Baltimore, Jim and Marilyn settled in Ashland, fully immersed in their community. Jim joined his father in the family business and became President of J.M. Pollard & Sons, Inc. in 1970. Jim was a faithful member of the Ashland Kiwanis Club for over 64 years, at one time serving as its president, as well as being honored as Kiwanian of the Year in 1967. He served many years in the Hanover/Ashland Business Organization. He was a founding board member of the Patrick Henry YMCA and was the first chairman of the Hanover County Industrial Development Authority. He served as President of the Greater Richmond Oil Fuel Institute. A true and loyal Hokie for over 70 years, Jim supported not only the University’s Business School and scholarship programs, but was also an avid Hokie sports fan. He was a football season ticket holder for over 50 years. He served as President of the Ashland Hokie Club and was a member of the Ut Prosim Society and the 1872 Society. His generosity obviously was felt in Blacksburg, but it also stayed close to home. Jim never forgot being allowed to shoot basketball as a town teen in the old Randolph-Macon gym and has supported RMC almost as long as VT. Jim loved to fish and spent many quiet hours on a pond in his jon boat with his kids and grandkids. Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Marilyn Pollard; and will be remembered with much love as the family patriarch by his grateful children, Madeline P. Taylor (Steve), James M. “Jay” Pollard III (Becky), Julie P. Myers (Tim) and Paul C. Pollard. He was affectionately known as “PaPa” by his seven grandchildren, James Taylor (Feb), Kacee Taylor, Amy Foreman (Matt), Madison Pollard IV (Brook), Katelyn Wright (Joseph), Jessica Barsch (Stanley) and Jackson Myers. Jim was blessed with great-grandchildren who brought him much joy, Talon Pollard, Claire, Isaac and Ethan Foreman, Harper Wright and Jack, William and Harry Barsch. In addition, he is survived by his sister-in-law, Anne Pollard; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The family is grateful to and wishes to thank the staff at Our Lady of Hope, Hospice Community Care and Comfort Keepers for their care and support. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, at Nelsen Funeral Home, 412 S. Washington Hwy., Ashland. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, 2019, at First Baptist Church, Ashland, 800 Thompson Street. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim's memory may be made to First Baptist Church, Ashland or Patrick Henry YMCA, 217 Ashcake Road, Ashland, Va. 23005.