James Paul (Buck) Geary, age 98, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, attorney, and community leader, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, at home in the loving embrace of his family.
He was born September 2, 1926 in Amma, Roane County, West Virginia, son of the late Harley Clyde Geary and the late Gladys Gertrude (Caldwell) Geary.
He was also preceded in death by his wife of almost 27 years, Mary Jane (Smith) Geary, an attorney, his sister Rose Geary Young, a banker, and his brother John Matthew Geary, a Methodist minister.
Surviving Buck is Cynthia L. (Kotchek) Geary his wife of nearly 41 years. He is also survived by his and Mary Jane’s children, James Paul (Jay) Geary II (Peggy), Mark Caldwell Geary (Barbara), Kelly O Geary Heatwole (Michael), Kathy O Geary Bowers (Jeffrey), and Matthew O Geary (Carol). Also surviving are his dear grandchildren Lucas Geary (Claire), Dr. Mark C. Geary II (Kristen), Jonathan Geary (Dawn), Christopher Heatwole (Lynita), Nathan Heatwole (Whitney), Stuart Bowers (Jessica), Elizabeth Bowers Somerville (Devon), Daniel Geary (Sindy), Joshua Geary (Catie), and Timothy Geary (Chelsea). Buck is also survived by his sixteen adored and adoring great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Buck spent his early childhood in Amma, where his family had a small country store, and later in his youth in Clendenin, Kanawha County, West Virginia, where his family had a furniture and appliance store. Throughout his childhood, he was an accomplished athlete and an avid hunter and fisherman. In 1944, he graduated from Clendenin High School, and after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army to serve his country in World War II. He served with distinction in infantry and ordinance from 1945 to 46, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was among the first American troops deployed to Japan, after the bombing of Hiroshima. He was honorably discharged, and was a life member of the VFW and the American Legion.
On his return to West Virginia, he was recruited by Wake Forest College and then awarded a scholarship to play basketball. He was a starting point guard on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons basketball team and was recognized as one of the top basketball players in the Southern Conference. He graduated from Wake Forest in 1951, then taught and coached for a year at Edward Best High School in Louisburg, North Carolina.
In 1955, he graduated from West Virginia University School of Law, where he met Mary Jane Smith, also a law student. They settled in Petersburg, her hometown, and they established the Geary and Geary law firm. Buck excelled as a general practice attorney and became known for his proficiency as a litigation attorney and his skillful courtroom presence. Their son, Jay, joined the firm in 1982.
Active in local politics, Buck served two terms as Grant County Prosecuting Attorney, 1961-1969. He was a member and past president of the Grant County Bar Association, the West Virginia State Bar, the West Virginia Bar Association and the American Bar Association. He was also the President and owner of Landimer, Inc, a realty company, which he founded.
Buck put down deep roots in Grant County. By virtue of his legal skills, business acumen, wide network of friends, along with his personal charisma, he guided some of the area’s most important public institutions. He was a Board of Director and also Chairman of the Board of Potomac Valley Bank and then served as a Director for Summit Community Bank and Summit Financial Group.
He was one of the core of local citizens founding Valley View Golf Course. He was a Trustee of Grant Memorial Hospital from 1961 to 1994 and Chairman of the Board from 1984 to 1994. He was a member and officer of the Grant County Development Authority and Petersburg Industrial Development Corporation for many years, starting in 1958. He was also a board member of the Grant County Commission on Aging Family Service.
He was appointed to the State Board of Education and served from 1971-1978, and was President of that Board from 1973-74. He was Chairman and a founding member of the West Virginia Education and State Employee Grievance Board from 1985-1995. In February of 1972, he was one of several attorneys flown to Logan County, West Virginia, to counsel and advise survivors of the Buffalo Creek flood disaster.
Long after he slowed down from the active practice of law, he was sought out by friends and former clients for advice. He listened to others with an open mind and could question others acutely yet with great empathy. People trusted his understanding of the law, his deep knowledge of local history and customs, his strict confidentiality, and his ability to offer practical and realistic advice.
Buck had a particular interest in land development and realty, and was co-founder of Meadow Ridge Subdivision, Timberline Resort and Development in Canaan Valley, Tucker County. After his marriage to Cynthia Kotchek in 1984 and wishing to learn more about his Irish heritage, they visited Ireland in 1986 and were thrilled by the beauty of the countryside.
Putting his knowledge of land development to work, he purchased a farm near the village of Goleen, County Cork, Ireland, hired a solicitor, a contractor, and an architect, and created a development of homes on the Mizen peninsula, overlooking Dunmanus Bay. The homes built there were made of traditional local materials, with modern conveniences inside. The home that he built for his own family’s enjoyment there, Canty’s Cove House, was named for the infamous local pirate, Captain Canty.
Buck remained an avid hunter and fisherman until just a few years before his death. In the Geary and Geary office and in his “man cave” at home can be seen a few of his many game animal trophies from his numerous hunting trips. These include bear, moose, pronghorn antelope, deer, and mountain lion. One can also see the impressive head of Chief Cornstalk, a buffalo bull, one of a small herd of buffaloes that he kept on a farm for many years, outside of Petersburg.
His interest in sports continued after his college years. While in his 70’s, he began playing basketball with Senior Olympics, his team frequently winning medals. He loved the fellowship of fellow athletes of all ages. He was always interested in and supported local student athletes. Proud moments for him were the many times he was master of ceremonies for the Petersburg High School Sports Banquets.
Buck’s family wishes to thank the caregivers who provided such skilled and compassionate assistance: Anna Zimmerman, Millie Shockey, Lori Long, Gina McDonald, Kathy Kerns, and Kelly Haggerty. Without them, Buck could not have lived out his last years in the comfort of his home.
Special mention must be made of Robert (“Robbie”) Barr and the extraordinary contribution he made to Buck’s care. Several decades ago, Robbie signed on to work for Buck proving himself to be a highly skilled workman. He surely did not foresee a role as caregiver, yet Robbie stepped up and without hesitation also provided care for Buck in his last years.
The family also wishes to thank Dr. Bruce Leslie, Dr. Ben Leslie, Dr. Steve Thompson, Dr. Langley Regester and Dr. Caroline Armstyrong and all of the staff of South Branch Hospitalists. Also deserving of special thanks are the doctors, nurses, aides, therapists, housekeepers, lab technicians, imaging technicians, pharmacists, cooks, and social workers who helped Buck in his hospitalizations at Grant Memorial Hospital.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 5, visitation with the family at 12:00 to 2:00, and memorial service 2:00 o’clock, at the Maysville Bible Brethren Church, in its Family Center, 7734 Lunice Creek Highway, Maysville, WV 26833, about 8.5 miles north of Petersburg on State Rt. 42.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to PHS Athletics, 207 Viking Drive, Petersburg, WV 26847; and Grant County Parks and Recreation, 5 Highland Avenue, Petersburg, WV 26847.
Online condolences www.schaefferfuneralhome.com
