Kessel, James S. (Dr.)

Passed: 1995-02-27

Age: 70

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1995-03-01

Information: EVANS - Ripley, and its medical community in particular, was saddened this week by the death of Dr. James S. Kessel.  The 70-year-old Evans resident died at his home Monday following an extended cancer illness.  He was the owner, operator and physician of the Kessel Clinic in Ripley for 44 years.  Visitation will be at McCoys Conference Center in Ripley today (Wednesday) from 2-4 p.m. and from 6-9 p.m.  Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday at Epworth United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Sanderson and the Rev. Herman Robinson officiating.  Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery.  Parsons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  Dr. Kessel had a long-time affiliation with the Jackson County Health Department.  Spokesperson Gayle Hall says the community was dealt a great loss.  ""He was our security blanket here at the health department,"" she noted.  ""He has always been there for the people of Jackson County, not only as their physician, but as a friend,"" Hall stated. ""He loved the people of Jackson County.  It will be sad not to have a Dr. Kessel"".  ""He was my co-worker and a friend since 1953"", Hall added.  ""I first met Dr. Jim when I was a charge nurse in Charleston, and young Dr. Jim of Ripley sent an appendectomy patient to Charleston and came along.""  Kessel also served on the board of directors at Jackson General Hospital since its inception, according to Administrator, Bill Chapman. ""From the point of view of the hospital, he will be greatly missed"", he said.  ""He's been here since it opened and has always done a tremendous job.  He really wore two hats"", Chapman continued.  ""He served on our hospital board since the very beginning.  Personally, he has been a good friend for many years.  He was one of the few people who saw only good in those around him. He never criticized.  He dealt with problems, but didn't attack people as he solved those problems.""  Kessel served until recently as president of the Ripley High School Alumni Association.  Memorials are preferred to his scholarship fund.  Donations for the scholarship may be sent to treasurer, Marci Henry, 122 South Court Street, Ripley WV 25271.  He was born in Morgantown, a son of the late Dr. Charles Royal Kessel, M.D. and Ruby Staats Kessel.  He was a graduate of West Virginia University and Jefferson Medical College.  He was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean War.  He was a member of the Cottageville-Evans Baptist Church.  Surviving are his wife, Mona Ann Kessel; two sons, Dr. James W. Kessel of Charleston and Dr. Steven R. Kessel of Charlotte, NC; two daughters, Elizabeth Diane Rhodes of Japan and Deidre Lynn Smith of Washington DC; three stepdaughters, Cassandra Ann Judge, Tamala R. Arthur and Sharon K. Quesenberry, all of Ripley; one brother, Charles Enoch Kessel of Ripley; one sister, Betty Louise McLaughlin of Pittsburgh PA and 14 grandchildren.