James A. “Jim” Kinsey, 74, passed away in his home on March 10th, 2024, due to complications from an extended illness. Jim was born on December 23, 1949, to the late Clarence Ray “Pete” Kinsey and late June Bosely Kinsey in Flemington, WV where he grew up on the family dairy farm with his brother Charles, and sister Anna Jane.

He graduated from Flemington High School in 1967 and went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree in education at Fairmont State College. Subsequently, he worked as a teacher at Flemington High School from 1971 to 1974 where he taught history and drivers education. He was a lifelong member of Union Baptist Church of Simpson WV.

Jim was one of the first two magistrates elected in Taylor County when the lower court system was created in 1976, and he was reelected to a second term in 1980. He was later elected as a Taylor County Commissioner in 1984 and served three consecutive terms.

Jim’s primary interest has been raising beef cattle in West Virginia. He showed both the vision and dedication necessary to develop and execute a breeding and selection program that resulted in one of the elite Angus herds in the eastern United States. Consequently, his consignments received much attention in the WV Bull Evaluation Program and elsewhere and have dominated in sales over the years.

Jim was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the WV Cattlemen’s Association and served 2 years as president. He subsequently served on the WV Beef Industry Council for six years, which included serving two years as chairman. He then represented West Virginia on the National Cattlemen’s Beef Board, which manages the national beef check-off and promotion for seven years.

In 1992, Jim was appointed to the Board of Directors of Southern States Cooperative and in 1990 he was elected as a Director on the Farm Credit Bank of Baltimore and was Chairman of the Board in 1993. When the Farm Credit Banks of Baltimore and Columbia merged to form Ag First in 1994, Jim served on the combined Board. He relinquished his seat on the Ag First Board in 2001 to serve on the CO Bank Board in Denver and retired in 2016.

Jim was inducted into the West Virginia Agricultural and Forestry Hall of Fame in 2008.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 53 years, Beverly (Phelps) Kinsey, whom he married on August 21, 1970.

Alongside his wife, he is survived by his brother Charles Kinsey and sister Anna Jane Shriver both of Grafton.

He is also survived by his three sons: Jeb Kinsey of Fairmont, Benjamin Kinsey and wife Christa of Flemington and Jamie Kinsey and wife Alicia of Flemington; five grandchildren: Mason and Chace Kinsey, Eliza and James “Bubba” Kinsey, and Jensen Kinsey.

Family and friends will be received at the Donald G. Ford Funeral Home 950 George Washington Hwy Grafton, WV, on Friday, March 15, 2024 from 3 until 8pm. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11am at the Union Baptist Church in Simpson with Pastor Chris Stanley presiding. Those attending may began gathering at 10am that morning. In lieu of flowers, tributes may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org or 200 SE 1st Street Suite 800 Miami, FL 33131; or to the Union Baptist Church PO Box 257 Simpson, WV 26435. Online condolences, www.donaldgfordfuneralhome.com The Donald G. Ford Funeral Home is honored to serve the Kinsey Family during their time of need.