Jimmie Dale Lefler

With great sadness our loving husband, father, and grandfather, Jimmie Dale Lefler, passed on February 10, 2025. He was born on October 14, 1946 in Mullens, West Virginia. He grew up playing in the mountains and on the banks of the Guyandotte River. He loved to hunt, fish, and play basketball, football and baseball. He graduated from Mullens High School in 1964 and attended Mullens Methodist Church. In 1966 he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1969. In May of 1970 he joined the West Virginia State Police and served until his retirement in November of 1995. During the course of his career, he also graduated from the FBI National Academy in September of 1983, Session 134, and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Glenville State College.

His life was filled with so many adventures, such as riding motorcycles as an undercover narcotics officer, flying in helicopters during marijuana eradication raids, whitewater rafting with the former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, and starring in an episode of “Real Stories of the Highway Patrol.” And honestly, we probably only knew half of them. The other half were only known to him and his beloved “brotherhood” of fellow officers. He belonged to the West Virginia Chapter of the FBI National Academy, the FBI National Academy Associates, the American Legion, Beckley Masonic Lodge #95, and the West Virginia State Police Retired Members Association.

Despite his dedication to his career, he also loved to hunt, fish, coach, work on cars, dance, and collect coins, model trains and rocks. He loved spending time with his grandparents, Allen and Kate Robertson in Peterstown, WV, and helping them with their gardens brought him so much joy.

In his retirement, he worked security for A.T. Massey and Marfork Coal Companies and was a substitute teacher for Raleigh County Schools. During this time he also became an enthusiastic flea market aficionado and an unbelievable storyteller. He was never happier than when he was hunting for sand dollars and seashells at Holden Beach, North Carolina. He always loved spending time with the other retired Troopers at their monthly dinners and yearly training sessions at Camp Dawson and keeping up with all of his Army buddies. He never met a stranger and never forgot a name or a face.

In 1970 he married Dinah Warden and raised three children. Dad was always present for ball games, dance recitals, and school events. There are no words to express the loss we feel with his passing. He was truly one of a kind. If you were fortunate to have known him, you were blessed - and probably have stories.

He was predeceased by his father Carlos Lefler and his mother Anna June Lefler. He is survived by his sister, Pat Burleson; wife, Dinah; his daughter Jai and husband Mike Haluski of Knoxville, TN; son Chris and wife Leigh Lefler of Beckley; and daughter Hillary and husband Ray Lewis of Sophia. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Thomas Stafford, Sophie Haluski, Ben Lefler, Liam Lefler, Kate Lefler and Francie Lewis, a.k.a “The Baby”.

The family would like to thank the Davita Dialysis Center, especially Kevin Adams, and Dr. Kelly Pitsenbarger for all the care they provided. Also friend Bill Mitchem, Big Cliff Adkins, son-in-law Ray Lewis and sister-in-law Renee Cangemi for their care and support. And special thanks to everyone who called or visited, held him in their prayers and feel his loss as much as we do.

Funeral services will be held at Blue Ridge Funeral Home on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Family visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., friend visitation from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., with the service starting at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to please make a donation to your favorite charity, your church, do something special with your family, or just enjoy your wonderful memories of Jimmie Dale (a.k.a. J.D., Lefler, Jim, Jimmie, pawpaw, and dad).