Bishop J. Medcalf, Jr.

July 23, 1931 - January 14, 2019

Bishop James Medcalf, Jr., was born on July 23, 1931, in Highsplent, Kentucky.  He was one of ten children born to the late Bishop James Medcalf, Sr. and Nell E. Kyle Medcalf Woods.  Bishop lived a life dedicated to serving God, his wife, children, family and friends.  After winning several health challenges, at the St. Mary’s Medical Center in Huntington, West Virginia on Monday, January 14, 2019, Bishop won the ultimate victory of entering into eternal rest.

 

Bishop obtained his early education in Fayette County, West Virginia where he graduated from Washington High School.  He was excellent at track and football, winning many achievements and awards.

 

Upon graduation, he attended vocational school in London, WV where he graduated as a certified carpenter and brick builder layer, thus obtaining the nickname of “BRICK”. 

 

Working for 43 years with CSX formally known as C&O Railroad Systems, Bishop perfected his talent and skills for building.  He was a freight car repairman, carmen, a certified welding technician and gang foreman.  He spent 18 years building railroad cars, where he became an equipment inspector.  Bishop was promoted as the first African American General Foreman. His responsibilities included being accountable for the valve room and the machine shop.  In 1989 he invented a machine that released the wheels off the axles of the coal cars thus earning him an award for his contribution to the CSX Transportation quality improvement process. In addition, Bishop’s work can be seen throughout the Tri-State area. He was a licensed barber, built homes, laid brick and concrete.  He laid the first sidewalks in Proctorville, Ohio and Huntington, WV on 3^rd avenue around Marshall University.

 

Bishop came to know the Lord at an early age.  He was baptized at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Gallagher, WV where he was a faithful member. His gift for building enabled him to help build the Mt. Zion Baptist Church where he also served as a Trustee. In 1972 he moved his family to South Point, OH and he united with the First Baptist Church of Burlington.  His intense desire to please and serve God guided him to lead the building of the new sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Burlington; he also served as a Trustee, Chairman of the building committee, the Director of the Male Chorus, and Chairman of the Culinary Committee.

 

Throughout his life Bishop has received many awards, plaques and certificates, too numerous to mention, but those that he was most proud of was being commissioned a Kentucky Colonel on August, 1985. He was a long standing member of Alexander Freeman #2 Masonic Lodge, a member of Abdul Temple No. 133 and receiving the Meritorious Certificate in recognition of his distinguished services and personal contributions of time and effort to Masonic ideals in general, and to the lodge in particular.

 

Bishop was a member of the Providence Laymen’s Association, the Laymen of the Ohio Baptist General Convention, and the National Baptist Convention Laymen’s Movement, and served as Trustee to the Ohio Baptist General Convention. He was awarded several plaques for recognition for his service, contributions and spiritual support to the Convention.

 

More importantly, Bishop was a Master Builder for God.  His call to building helped to build the character of young men throughout the Tri-State.  When younger men referred to “Mr. Bishop” they always would let you know he gave them their first job, carrying brick, lumber and whatever was needed to help get the job done.  Through these efforts he was laying the foundation for integrity, responsibility, respect and accountability.  “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might,  for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” Ecc. 9:10. 

 

In 1951 Bishop married the late Shirley Jean Hearns; to this union they had six (6) children.  Two of his children preceded him in death, a son Cloyd Leon Hearns “Cloy” and daughter Donzella Barnes “Donnie”.  In August of 1989 Shirley was called from labor to rest.  In addition to their two children preceding him was one sister Rutha Jessup, and four brothers; Lee Woods, Milton Woods, Ray Woods and Robert Woods.

 

He leaves to cherish his memory a devoted, caring and loving wife of 26 years, Mozelle E. Medcalf, four children Gwen Smith (Raymond) of Roanoke, VA, Larry Medcalf (Stacy) of South Point, OH, Glen Medcalf (Renee) of Ironton, OH and Dwan Parker (Albert “Skip”) of South Point, OH; one daughter-in-law Julia Hearns of MD, nineteen (19) grandchildren, twenty-nine (29) great grandchildren and six (6) great-great grandchildren; four (4) sisters, Marcella Lacy, Pat Madison (Cortez), Selina Hairston (Joe) all of Bristol, TN and Thelma Hughes, of Charleston, WV; four sister-in-law’s Elmira Woods of Charleston, WV, Patricia Jackson and Rev. Geneva J. Logan of Washington, D. C., and Janette O. Logan of Upper Marlboro, MD,  a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and a multitude of friends.

 

While we will miss those things we loved about Bishop, we will benefit from them as well.  We feel certain that after 87 years on earth, God has greeted him with “Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant”. “For you have fought a good fight, you have finished my course, you have kept the faith.”

The family extends sincere appreciation to Dr. Damian Silbermins and staff at HIMG, the nurses in the CDU, 6^th floor and MICU at St. Mary’s Medical Center as well as the transporters of the Patriot EMS for the care provided to Brother Bishop Medcalf.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, January 19,2019 at the First Baptist Church of Burlington; burial will follow at Highland Memorial Gardens, South Point, OH.  The family will receive visitors on Friday from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the church and from 9:00 am – 10:45 am on Saturday at the church.

Slack and Wallace Funeral Home, South Point, OH is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.slackandwallace.com.