City Man, Veteran, Former Division I Basketball Player, Mine Advocate, Youth Coach, James Young, Passes

James Archer Young, 78, of Bridgeport, West Virginia, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 with members of his family at his side.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly forty-four years Frances Toppings Young and their two sons Jason Aaron Young and his wife Sarah of Bridgeport, West Virginia, and Stephen Toppings Young and his wife Christina of Barboursville, West Virginia. He is also survived by several family members in the coalfields, including his dear cousin Glen Douglas Young and his wife Betty of Pikeville, Kentucky.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving in-laws Garfield James Toppings and his wife Betty, formerly of Delbarton, West Virginia, and his four amazing dogs Archie, Doodle, Mingo, and Maggie.

James graduated from Williamson High School in Williamson, West Virginia in 1965 and briefly played men’s collegiate basketball at Wake Forest University before serving his country as a combat medic in the United States Army during the Vietnam War era. He retired from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) after over 35 years of dedicated service to the coal miners of Appalachia. 

A former state high school boys’ basketball champion, James was a ravenous basketball fan, specifically of his University of Kentucky Wildcats. He was the proud founder and coach of the WV Wolfpack, a successful early 2000s travel basketball team in north central West Virginia. James loved to tinker on his 1998 Chevy truck and his 1978 Kawasaki motorcycle. He would also never pass up the opportunity to have a good meal, a good conversation, or a chance to listen to music from legends like George Jones and the Beatles. 

In keeping with his wishes, he will be cremated. A private family memorial will be scheduled at a future date. 

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