John Cary Shott

John Cary Shott, 94, of Bluefield, Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 15, 2018 at his home. He left us to join and spend eternity with his “soul mate” and loving wife of over 70 years, Bonivere (Bonnie) Reark Shott who passed away on June 3, 2017. Born on February 17, 1924 in Bluefield, West Virginia, he was the son of the late James Howard and Martha Easley Shott, and was a member and past deacon of Westminster Presbyterian Church. After graduating from Beaver high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II, and served as a flight instructor until December 1945. Following the completion of his military commitment, he attended West Virginia University, and graduated in 1948 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he worked for 6 years as a salesman with Paper Supply Company before beginning a 30 year broadcasting career with Bluefield’s WHIS/WHAJ Radio/ WHIS TV, WBTW TV, Florence SC and KIMT TV, Mason City IA. He started in sales and ultimately became the Vice President and General Manager of all broadcast operations for the Daily Telegraph Printing Company. During his broadcasting career, he also served for many years as a board member and was a past president of the West Virginia Broadcasters Association. Prior to fully retiring John also served as a Director of various local businesses including the Daily Telegraph Printing Company, Adventure Communications, Inc., JanPak, Inc, (formerly Paper Supply Company), Bluefield Gas Company, Gas Service, Inc., Southwest Virginia National Bank, First Century Bank, Pocahontas Bankshares and the Hugh I. Shott, Jr., Foundation. Although he never desired to run for public office, his interest in politics led him to serve on the Republican State Executive Committee, and he ultimately served as the Republican State Party Chairman from 1965 through 1968. His love of this area motivated him to volunteer, and he served in leadership positions for numerous community organizations and events, including the YMCA, Mercer County Heart Association, Mercer County TB Association, United Fund of Greater Bluefield and -- his favorite, the Community Christmas Tree Association which never failed to put him in the Christmas Spirit. Being a grateful graduate of WVU, he was a steadfast supporter and served on the Visiting Committee of the WVU School of Journalism and was a board member and President of the West Virginia University Foundation. His commitment to WVU resulted in him being recognized as a Most Loyal West Virginian in 1991 and he was awarded the Order of Vandalia in 1993. His service to higher education was not limited to WVU; he also served on the West Virginia Board of Regents, the Concord College Foundation and was Chairman of the Cornerstone Campaign for Bluefield State College. Never one to seek recognition for his public service, he was, nevertheless the recipient of numerous awards, including the American Legion Riley Vest Post No. 9 Distinguished Citizen Award, the Bluefield Jaycees Man of the Year, and he received the Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Citizen Award. His commitment to his country and community was only surpassed by his love and devotion to his family. He especially enjoyed family occasions and went to great lengths to gather family together as often as possible. His quiet strength, impeccable integrity, humility, and playful sense of humor will be greatly missed by those of us left behind. In addition to his parents and his wife, John was preceded in death by his brothers, Edwin E. “Ned” Shott and James Howard Shott, Jr., his brother-in-law, John Kayle Reark, and wife, Katherine “Katie” Reark”, grandson, Jeffrey Edward Shott, nephew, Robert Bradford Shott and niece, Linda Sue Marinko, He is survived by his two sons, John H. Shott and his wife, Katherine, and Michael R. Shott and his wife, Sandra, daughter-in-law, Karen Atkins Shott, five cherished grandchildren (to whom he was simply “Grandy”), James Christopher Shott, Andrew Michael Shott, Jason Cary Shott, Adam Cary Shott and Martha Jane Shott, eight great grandchildren, Ethan Andrew Shott, Mason John Robert Shott, James Coolidge Shott, John Tyler Shott, Poppy Belle Shott, Evelyn Bonivere Shott, Cary Woods Selkirk and Samuel Michael Shott, numerous nieces and nephews and his devoted caregivers, Linda Howard, Anna Howard, Fern Bell, Martha Perdue, Margaret Shrewsbury and Jessica Shimel, for whose efforts the family is deeply grateful. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel with Craig Hammond officiating. Friends may visit with the family prior to the service from 12:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to either the Bluefield Union Mission or the Community Foundation of the Virginia’s Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com.

John Cary Shott

February 17, 1924 - October 15, 2018