Roy A. Phalen

Roy A. Phalen, 85, of Nitro, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus at home on May 1, 2017, surrounded by his loving wife, Ruthie, and daughters, Terri, Sandra and Janet. Roy was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and while he was stationed at Biggs Field, El Paso, Texas, he met his wife, "Ruthie," on a blind date. They met in February 1954, and were married on June 4, 1954. They settled in El Paso, where Roy worked for the Bell system until he transferred to C&P Telephone Co. in West Virginia, where he worked until he retired. Roy was a member of the Elks Club of Charleston, Telephone Pioneers, life member, active in Golden Age club (Sawdust Gang), retirees of phone company union. After his retirement, Roy and Ruthie loved to spend their time traveling and attending WVU football games and bowl games. For many years after retiring, Roy kept busy cutting lawns for neighbors and the church he attended, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and being the number one Pawpaw. Roy is survived by his wife, Ruthie, of 62 years; his three daughters, Terri Summerfield, Sandra Whittington and her husband and caregiver John, Janet Dawson of Virginia and her husband Steve; his five grandchildren, Christie Johnson and her husband Brian, Nick Parkins, Nikki Summerfield, soon to be Nikki Kidder and Corey Kidder, Sean Summerfield and his fiancé Sarah Hancock, and Jessica Dawson. Roy was survived by and blessed with two wonderful great-grandchildren, Abigail and Levi Johnson, who could always put a smile on his face. Roy was also survived by his two brothers, Billy Phalen and his wife Jean, Robert Phalen and his wife Gloria, as well as his two devoted and loving sisters who deeply cared for their "Bud Honey," Janet Kirk and her husband Sam, and Debbie McEwen and her husband Bob, along with so many nieces and nephews, too many to name, who loved their Uncle Bud. Celebration of Roy's life will be 11 a.m., Saturday, May 6, at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, St. Albans, with Pastor David Lee officiating. Entombment will follow in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by St. Albans VFW Post 6418 and American Legion Post 73. Following the service, there will be a dinner for family and friends held in Roy's honor at the First Presbyterian Church of Nitro. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday, May 5, at Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service Saturday. Family requests in lieu of flowers, that memorial gifts can be given to the First Presbyterian Church of Nitro Choir, as he so enjoyed listening to his Ruthie sing. Lastly, but certainly not least, the Phalen family would like to thank Hospice Care of Charleston especially his nurse Mark Withrow and their wonderful caregivers Terri Brogan, Karen "Katie" Bailey, Sonjia Furrow, Angela Haynes, Loretta Pettway, Susan Smith, and nephew Chris Wilkinson for their time and compassionate care they each provided to Roy during his illness. To all that knew and loved him … his contagious smile and baby blue eyes will surely be missed.