 1927 - 2016 (88 years)
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| Name |
John Sam "Ferd" Toney |
| Birth |
11 Sep 1927 |
Dothan, Fayette Co., WV  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Death |
18 Jun 2016 |
Eleanor, Putnam Co., WV: bur:Haven of RestMemoryGardens,Red House,PutnamCo.,WV |
| Person ID |
I8662 |
forneyclark |
| Last Modified |
10 Jun 2026 |
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| Notes |
- Source:
John A. Toney:
Name
Source:
https://obituaries.register-herald.com/obituary/john-toney-796056321
Toney, John Sam "Ferd" (1927-2016)
John Sam "Ferd" Toney, 88, of Eleanor, WV, died Saturday June 18, 2016 after a sudden illness.
He was born at Dothan, Fayette County, WV on September 11, 1927, the son of the late Lewis W. Toney and Roena Virginia Davis Toney. John was given the birth name, Laird Lomax, which he later legally changed.
In 2014 he lost his beloved wife of 44 years, N. Christine Toney. He was also preceded in death by six brothers; Luther, Lewis, Lionel, Leonard, Leslie, and Larry Fred and two sisters: Sally and Helen.
John graduated from Collins High School in Oak Hill, WV in 1945. He immediately volunteered for military service. In the Army, he was trained as a medic and served stateside at the Walter S. Reed Army Hospital caring for wounded soldiers with "battle fatigue" returning from the European battlefields.
After military service, John worked briefly as a coal miner and a welder before he became a professional truck driver. He first drove for the Waddell Produce Company of Oak Hill where he delivered fresh produce to Bob and Erma Byrd's store at Sophia, WV (before Robert C. Byrd became a U. S. Senator). John then drove for Smith Transfer Company, Coastal Tank Lines, and Chemical-Lehman Tank Lines and retired after 35 years without an accident.
John gave fresh garden produce to his friends every year. He helped build the Red House United Brethren Independent Church, its Activity Building, the Eleanor Public Library, helped maintain Little League ball fields, routinely helped "old folks" in the community with home repairs, and often drove them to their appointments and to the store.
John was a Christian and attended the Lone Oak Church of God Mission at Red House, WV. John was a member of Oak Hill Masonic Lodge No. 120 A. F. & A. M.; Sewell Lodge No. 24 Royal Arch Masons; he was a past Advisory Board Member for the Buffalo Assembly # 62 Order of Rainbow for Girls; former Trustee of the Red House United Brethren Independent Church; President of the Null Addition Homeowners' Association; former member of the Buffalo High School Athletic Boosters; and former member of the Buffalo High School Band and Music Boosters.
John loved to attend all his children and grandchildren's music, 4-H, and sporting events. John served as an Assistant 4-H Leader in the Midway Meridians 4-H Club with his wife, Chris, the club Leader. John helped with 4-H club operations, volunteered for Putnam County Fair duties, and assisted with many 4-H club and county events. He mentored 4-H members with gardening projects.
John was a true mountaineer. He had a rich cultural knowledge of Appalachian dialect; hunting and fishing skills; ginseng, mushroom, and ramp gathering; home remedies; playing the guitar and banjo; singing; storytelling; and most of all, mountain folk humor.
He liked to read about and study current events/politics and then debate with his friends. John proudly flew the American flag in his yard asking his grandchildren and neighborhood children to stand and salute when he raised or lowered his flag.
John enjoyed feeding and watching birds. He also maintained houses for and enjoyed the purple martin birds in his backyard. He loved to fish West Virginia's streams and also the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers in Wyoming and Montana.
SURVIVORS OMITTED
John is also missed by two special dogs, Bully and Zeus.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Midway Meridians 4-H Club to provide camp scholarships c/o Pamela Irvine, 671 Melton Road, Poca, WV 25159.
Funeral service will be held at 11 am Friday, June 24, 2016 at Raynes Funeral Home (Eleanor Chapel) with Pastor Scott Casto officiating. Entombment will follow at the Haven of Rest Memory Gardens, Red House with Masonic and military graveside honors. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8:30 pm Thursday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be sent to the Toney family by visiting www.raynesfuneralhome.com. Raynes Funeral Home, 303 Ash Circle, Eleanor is in charge of arrangements.
To plant a tree in memory of John Sam Toney, please visit Tribute Store.
Published on June 22, 2016
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