James "Mike" Mulford

James "Mike" Mulford, 56, Gallipolis, Ohio passed away unexpectedly Tuesday, May 20, 2003 at his residence. He was born January 4, 1947 at Gallipolis, son of Elizabeth Knopp Bailey of Cheshire and the late Clarence "Jay" Mulford. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving in the U.S. Army with the Special Forces, Ameri Cal Division as a Scout Dog Handler, Ranger qualified. He medically retired from the West Virginia National Guard as a Major.

Mike was a 1965 graduate of Kyger Creek High School, Cheshire and received his Bachelor of Liberal Arts Degree from the University of Rio Grande in 1969, where he was an active member of the Grande Chorale. He received his teaching credentials from Ohio University, Athens and his Masters of Library and Media from Marshall University in 1987.

He was employed by the Gallia County Local School District for more than thirty years, where he taught Jr. High Science at Vinton Elementary and Kyger Creek Middle School. He currently was employed as Librarian at River Valley High School.

Mike's athletic involvement included former coach of Vinton Jr. High Girls Basketball, Assistant Football Coach at Kyger Creek High School and River Valley High School. He also many other athletic programs.

He was a member of Meigs County Disabled American Veterans Chapter #53, Gallia County Local Teachers Association, Ohio Educational Association and National Educational Association. Mike was also an active member of Christ Episcopal Church, Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Marie Gour Mulford whom he married August 21, 1983 at Huntington, West Virginia; three daughters, Corissa Michelle (Chris) Demeer, Syracuse, Ohio; Chanda Russell, Racine Ohio and Alicia Mulford, Mason, West Virginia; four granchildren, Alyssa and Mattea Deemer and Aubree and Olivia Johnson; brother, F. Dennis (Susie) Mulford, Georgetown, Ohio and sister, Kay (William) Rutherford, Point Pleasant, West Virginia.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, May 24, 2003 in the Christ Episcopal Church, Point Pleasant with the Rev. Katharin K. Foster officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to service. Burial will follow in the Gravel Hill Cemetery, Cheshire. Full Military Rites will be conducted by the 2/19th Special Forces Unit, Huntington, West Virginia. Friends may call at the McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, Gallipolis Friday 4:00-8:00 PM.

Friends wishing to make Memorial Contributions in lieu of flowers may make donations to:

Christ Episcopal Church
804 Main St.
Pt. Pleasant, WV 25550
or
Cheshire Baptist Church
8057 State Route 7
Cheshire, OH 45620