“Requesting the Division of Highways name the intersection of U.S. Route 35 with W.Va. State Route 34, in Putnam County, the “Vietnam Veteran James Henry Caruthers Memorial Road”.

Whereas, James Henry Caruthers was born on August 11, 1945, to James Henry and Josephine Della “Teeny” Legg Caruthers; he graduated from Poca High School in 1963 and attended Concord College; and

Whereas, In 1966, James Henry Caruthers was drafted into the U.S. Army and proudly and honorably served his country in Vietnam; and

Whereas, Upon his discharge, U.S. Army SP5 James Henry Caruthers returned to his employment with Putnam Fabrication; he was also employed by Terradon Corporation and West Virginia Steel; and

Whereas, Jim was affectionately also known as “Sweat” Caruthers by anyone who got to know him; “Sweat” was known almost universally by everyone in Poca and surrounding communities and was widely known throughout Putnam County, as well as by many others throughout the state; and

Whereas, James Henry Caruthers served in many capacities as an elected or appointed official on the local, county, and state level: he was elected to three terms on the Putnam County Commission and also elected to the city council of Poca as well as being elected Mayor of Poca; in 2001, Jim was appointed by Governor Bob Wise to serve on the West Virginia Statewide Addressing and Mapping Board; he initiated the Putnam County Transportation Committee, which still exists today; he also served as a member of the Central West Virginia Regional Airport Authority, the Putnam County Republican Executive Committee, the Nitro Moose, and was a life member of the VFW, Post 9097, Hurricane, West Virginia; and

Whereas, While recognized and winning numerous awards for his public service, in 2008, James Henry Caruthers was selected for the PF Tucker Award by the Regional Intergovernmental Council; in 2011, he was proud to receive the Mayo Lester Community Service Award, bestowed upon him by the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, and, in 2015, was presented with the Distinguished West Virginian Award by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin; and

Whereas, James Henry Caruthers, 72, a life-long resident of Poca, West Virginia, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2018, is survived by his adoring wife, Kim Blair; son, Jonathan Caruthers (Warrant Officer, USMC, stationed in Beaufort, South Carolina), and his partner, Jillianne Sprague; other sons, Jeffrey Blair, Esq. and his wife, Dr. Amy Schultz of Scott Depot, West Virginia; and Brian Blair and partner Desi Andrews of Parkersburg, West Virginia; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate James Henry Caruthers and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name the intersection of U.S. Route 35 with W.Va. State Route 34, in Putnam County, the “Vietnam Veteran James Henry Caruthers Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs on both sides of the intersection on each road identifying the intersection as the “U.S. Army SP5 James Henry Caruthers Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.”