Virginian-Pilot

June 2, 2003

James H. Finnegan

PORTSMOUTH -- James H. Finnegan, 86, of Durham, N.C., died June 1, 2003.

He was born and grew up with his brothers, John and William in Richmond, Va., where their father became fire chief. His mother played piano, and he shared her love of music.

After graduation from Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI), he moved to Portsmouth to work in the Naval Shipyard, where he rose to head the electronics division. He did graduate study at N.C. State University and, in 1962, was selected to be the head and technical director of the Electronics Maintenance Center (later named the Naval Ship Engineering Center) in Norfolk. In Portsmouth, he met and married his wife of nearly 45 years, Frances L. Allen, a native of Henderson, N.C., who died in 1989.

After retirement in 1973, he remained active as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Merrimac and the Cosmopolitan Camera Club, which awarded him lifelong honorary membership. Formerly a member of St. Paul's Catholic Church, he joined the Church of the Resurrection when it was built. An avid home gardener, bird watcher, ham radio operator and computer user, he also enjoyed reading and watching sports.

In 1991 he married Edith Woodlief Haskins of Creedmoor, N.C. Later, they moved to Durham, N.C., where he joined St. Matthew Catholic Church, and became a doting stepgrandfather and great-grandfather. A friendly, outgoing gentleman, he was loved and admired by his family and friends.

He is survived by his wife and her children and their families, Carolyn and Bill Fort; Phil and Linda Medlin and daughters Valerie, Alexis and Julianna; Julie and Derek Kelly; and Melodye and Wayne Aiken and daughters Courtney and Brooke, all of North Carolina. He is also survived by the children of his first marriage, James H. Finnegan Jr. of Portsmouth, and Diane E. Kirrane of Washington, D.C., and her husband Peter, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Loving Funeral Home, Churchland Chapel, by the Rev. James Carr, with burial in Oak Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

Sarah P. Hoggard

COLERAIN -- Sarah Phelps Hoggard, 66, died June 1, 2003. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Highland Memorial Gardens. Garrett Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is in charge.

Harry Johnson

LASKER -- Harry Johnson, 78, died May 31, 2003. A funeral will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in Lasker Baptist Church. Sykes Funeral Service, Rich Square, is in charge.

Daniel E. Meadows

BAILEY -- The Rev. Daniel E. Meadows, 91, of Highway 581, died June 1, 2003. A funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Bailey United Methodist Church. Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Service, Wilson, is in charge.

Elizabeth I. Pugh

SHILOH -- Elizabeth Iredell Pugh, 85, of the 100 block of Alder Branch Road, died May 31, 2003. A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Twiford's Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City.

Doris A. Summerlin

ELIZABETH CITY -- Doris A. ``Polly'' Summerlin, 73, of the 500 block of Maple St., died May 31, 2003. A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Twiford's Memorial Chapel.

James D. White

WILLIAMSTON -- James David White, 78, died May 31, 2003. A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in First Pentecostal Holiness Church. Walker Funeral Home, Williamston, is in charge.