Manassas, Virginia - CAPT James L. Law, U.S. Navy (Retl

James "Jim" Law, age 86, formerly of 1216 Bell Run Road, Fairmont West Virginia, died peacefully in his sleep on 19 September 2025. He was born 26 November 1938 in Clarksburg, West Virginia, the eldest son of the late Ruth F. and James P. Law. He moved, with his family, from Clarksburg to Fairmont in 1949. He attended public schools, and graduated from Fairmont Senior High School in 1956, and Fairmont State College in 1960. He married Martha Ann Shriver, also of Fairmont, on 14 May 1960, and they had two sons, Jeff and John. In recent years, he has been residing in Manassas, Virginia.

In September 1960, he entered Navy flight training at Pensacola, Florida. He was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy in February 1961. Thus began, what was to be an exciting and rewarding 30-year odyssey in the United States Navy with a wonderful wife, and two really great kids.

Their duty stations were many and varied,and they moved 19

times in those 30 years. The places they lived ranged from Hawaii to Rota, Spain. Jim's sea duty involved several long aircraft carrier deployments, in-country combat action in Vietnam, and Persian Gulf security patrols. Naval intelligence was his designated specialty; and that work provided him with some interesting, and often exciting, assignments to unusual places. His career progressed well, with documented success in a variety of increasingly complex assignments leading to command of Naval Shore Activities on two occasions. He retired 1 October 1990 with the rank of Captain, U.S. Navy. Among his several decorations, he was a recipient of the Legion of Merit, and two Bronze Stars with "Combat V".

After his retirement from the Navy, He worked as a defense consultant in San Diego until his return to "roots" in Fairmont in 1991. Thereafter, he worked as a Program Manager for

D. N. American and Azimuth, Inc., in the (then embryonic) local high-tech arena working NASA software contracts. He contributed back to the community by participating in "Leadership Marion", "Action Marion", and serving 10 years on the Fairmont Building Commission (3 years as Chairman). He enjoyed Rotary, and served as President of the Fairmont Rotary Club (1998-99). He was later called upon to serve as Assistant Governor for Rotary District 7530 (2001-02). He also served a period of time on the Church Financial Committee, and was an "occasional" member of Methodist Men.

Past hobbies and persuasions have included, motor-boating, sport-flying, skiing, and home re-modeling. In more recent years he has stayed closer to home, and simply enjoyed spending time with his family, his four grand-children, and seven great grandchildren. He also made frequent trips to Colfax to spend time at his camp on the Tygart River, which was a place of so much joy in his more care-free youth and early adulthood.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, his brother David, and his first wife of almost 55 years, and the love of his life, Martha. He was also preceded in death by his second wife, the former Sharon Julian, also of Fairmont. He leaves behind his youngest brother Charlie, and a very loving family... Jeff and Barbara Law, and their children, Stephanie and Seth Boyd and James P. and Jenna Law; and John and Cheryl Law, and their sons, John and Madison Law and James G. and Katelyn Law, and the seven great grands, Addeline, Keegan, Harper, Konrad, Camille, Isla and Isabelle, along with several nieces and nephews. This family was his absolute pride and joy; and he found great strength and comfort in their love and support.

A Celebration of life Service is scheduled for Saturday, 8 November at 1 pm at the Fleming Memorial Church on Locust Ave in Fairmont, WV. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Fairmont Union Mission or the Fairmont Rotary Club, both were favorites of his.