Dr. James Curtis Lesnett

Dr. James Curtis Lesnett, Sr. (Jim), 71, of Radford, Virginia and formerly of Bluefield, West Virginia, died Thursday, September 28, 2023 at Lewis-Gale Montgomery Hospital in Radford, Virginia. Born in 1952 in Chester, Pennsylvania, he was the son of Stewart Curtis Lesnett and Orpha Alice Sypolt Lesnett. During his early years, Jim lived and traveled across the United States and Canada, following his father from construction site to construction site. Jim and his family finally settled down in Kingwood, West Virginia when local ordinances and a truant officer mandated that he be enrolled in elementary school. Jim was an only child, so his parents surrounded him with a virtual barnyard of pets, including dogs, cats, a horse, chinchillas, and even a flying squirrel (true story). Growing up, Jim was an avid bowler, a self-proclaimed “pool shark”, and the captain of his high school wrestling team. Little did he know that his wrestling moves would later prove to be invaluable parenting techniques. Jim graduated from Kingwood High School in 1970 and from West Virginia University in 1974. After college, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Becky, to whom he was married for more than 48 years. Jim graduated from the West Virginia University School of Medicine in 1978 and practiced as a primary care physician in Bluefield, West Virginia and Bluefield, Virginia for more than 30 years. After spending more than 30 years treating patients with various ointments and elixirs and fighting the good fight against Medicare, Medicaid, and various insurance carriers, Jim retired from his medical practice and moved to Radford, Virginia to pursue his true passion – fishing. Jim’s life’s goal was to catch a fish in all 50 states. He had 44 states under his belt before he passed, but Alaska, Hawaii, California, Nevada, Idaho, and North Dakota are on the agenda for the afterlife. Jim was last heard telling doctors tall tales about how many fish he had caught just the day before. Fish everywhere are breathing a big sigh of relief. Jim was also a rabid fan of West Virginia University football and the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he will be laid to rest with his favorite WVU football t-shirt and his Terrible Towel in tow. Jim is survived by his wife, Rebecca Lesnett of Radford, Virginia, and three children, Jamie Lesnett and his wife, Kristen, of Charlotte, North Carolina, Angie Lesnett of Columbus, Ohio, and Michael Lesnett and his wife, Katie, of Bluefield, West Virginia. Jim is also survived by eight grandchildren who treasured time with their beloved Paw Paw – Ava Grace Lesnett, Jack Lesnett, Trey Hamilton, Troy Hamilton, Kayden Myers, Eli Lesnett, Penelope Lesnett, and Destiny Lesnett. Jim’s family has disregarded his last request for a Viking funeral on the New River, so a memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 1, 2023, at Mercer Funeral Home at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour. All are welcome to celebrate Jim’s life and share their favorite memories. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visit www.MercerFuneralHome.com

Dr. James Curtis Lesnett

August 16, 1952 - September 28, 2023