Obituaries

Harold J. Flouhouse

Harold J. Flouhouse, 87, of Newport News, Virginia went to be with the Lord on January 17, 2023.  He passed at his residence.

Harold was born at the family farm in Proctor, Marshall County, West Virginia on April 21, 1935. He was the fifth of seven children of Vernon Jacob and Neva Etta (Smith) Flouhouse.

He was the firstborn of twins, beating his younger brother Harry by several minutes.  And the competition never ceased. 

He was predeceased by his parents, older brothers Conrad A. and Myron D., and youngest brother, John O. Flouhouse. Harold is survived by his wife, Marjorie K. (Chadwell) Flouhouse; daughter Karen S. (Joos), her husband Brian, and two sons, Clinton T. and Jacob A.; son Harold D., wife Kim (Griffith), and their two children, Dimitri and Michael. He is also survived by his older brother Clinton V., older sister Alice Kelder and his younger twin brother, Harry G., as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Harold graduated from West Liberty High school in 1954 where he and his twin brother were starters on the school’s basketball team.

He attended West Liberty University from 1955-1958, where he studied Business Administration before being drafted into the U.S. Army on June 2, 1958 and was honorably discharged on June 1, 1960. He served as a clerk at Camp TUTO, Thule, Greenland, and at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia, and attained the rank of Specialist, E-4.  He was the shuffleboard champ at Thule.

On May 13, 1962, he married the love of his life, Marjorie K. Chadwell, at Follansbee Christian Church, Follansbee, West Virginia.  They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary this past May 2022.

Harold was a retired Industrial Supplies Salesman for Louis Berkman Company.  He traveled all over the Ohio Valley region. He was also a realtor and entrepreneur.

He loved the church. He was an elder and chairman of the board at the Wellsburg Christian Church, Wellsburg, W. VA.

He was involved in local government and served on the board for the county fair.

Harold was also an active Master Mason. He was a living example of what it means to be a Freemason. He was Initiated an Entered Apprentice on October 11, 1962, Passed to Fellowcraft on November 20, 1962, and Raised to Master Mason on March 5, 1963, at Liberty Lodge No. 26, A.F. & A.M., West Liberty, West Virginia.  He was a Past Master of Liberty Lodge No. 26 and was a Master of the Royal Secret of the 32 Degree of Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite on October 30, 1965, in Wellsburg, West Virginia.  Harold attended lodge here in Virginia at Williamsburg No. 6.  Freemasonry was a family affair. He went through the Order of Eastern Star with his mother and his daughter, Karen, was a member of the masonic youth organization International Order of the Rainbow for Girls.  He even made sure he made the trip to be present for the raising of his son-in-law to Master Mason.

Harold loved sports, and it was a part of his daily life. If he was not playing a sport, he was encouraging and coaching his two children – Karen in her gymnastics and Harold D. in his golfing.

Harold loved to play basketball and go golfing.  Even before he was no longer able to play either sport, he volunteered and helped others pursue their dreams. Harold was the President of the Wellsburg Little League Association and facilitated the construction of new city ballfields for the youth.  He was also the regional Little League District Administrator.

Harold loved watching the Little League World Series every year and was ecstatic when he was able to watch the games in person at Williamsport, PA.

As an avid basketball fan, he volunteered at local colleges so he could be close to the games. While in Conway, SC, he volunteered to sell tickets and as an usher at the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers football games, and as a timer at their track & field meets.

He loved playing golf.  Which was also one of the reasons he and Marjorie moved to Conway, SC in 2000. Not only did he play, but he volunteered and worked part-time at numerous local golf courses.

Harold was a master gardener and loved wildlife, especially the birds.  He always maintained several bird feeders in his yard year-round and made sure they were never empty.  He was actually on his way to refill the feeders when the Lord called him home.

Harold and Marjorie moved to Newport News, VA in August of 2016 to be closer to their daughter and grandsons.

Shortly after moving to Virginia, they joined the Grafton Christian Church and expanded their church family, gaining many wonderful friends and brothers and sisters in Christ.

He also began exploring the local community where he met all of his neighbors while taking his beloved Bichon Frisé, Buck, for a walk every day.

Services and burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 23, 2023, by Rev. Michael Burnett and assisted by Rev. John Faulk at Grafton Christian Church, Yorktown, VA  Military honors and Masonic rites will be performed just prior to the service.

 Arrangements are under the care of Peninsula Funeral Home.

7 Comments

  1. John and Teri Falk

    Harold was a dear and precious member of Grafton Christian Church. We used to joke that he had 9 lives as there were many recent hospital stays! He was always upbeat with a warm smile for everyone he knew. We will miss him dearly!

  2. David E Berry

    Harold and Marjorie were dear friends to us when we first moved to the Pittsburgh area from New Jersey for the Diamond Chain Company. Our families enjoyed our times together as well. Harold and I became business friends during our many telephone conversations whenever he would call the Diamond Chain Distribution Center in Pennsaukan, NJ to place an order for chain and sprockets for the Gipson Bearing Company branch in Steubenville, O where he worked at the time. I’m so sorry to learn of his passing. My condolences to Marjorie and her family.

    • Karen Flouhouse Joos

      Thank you so much Mr. Berry. I have fond memories of the times we visited with you all at your home. I believe you served me my first Shirley Temple. lol My best to your family.

  3. CC

    I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find comfort and peace in God’s promise to swallow up death forever and wipe the tears from all faces. Isaiah 25:8 Condolences

  4. Susan Brendle

    Karen, Marjorie & family, I know you will miss him terribly. I got to know him a bit when I came to the house for piano lessons. He was a very kind man. God bless you and bring you peace.

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