CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jim Stucky died Sunday morning, according to the Kanawha County Commission.
Stucky, who retired last April, had served the county for decades; he worked in the county prosecutor’s office between 1979 and 1985, serving as the prosecutor from 1983 to 1985. He left for 10 years to work in private practice before returning in 1995.
Then-Gov. Cecil Underwood appointed Stucky as circuit judge in September 1997. He retired last year for medical reasons.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of my longtime friend Judge Jim Stucky. My wife Debbie and I wish to send our condolences and prayers to his wife Brenda and the rest of his family. Judge Stucky was one of the finest public servants I ever had the privilege to know,” Commission President Kent Carper said in a statement.
Commissioners Ben Salango and Hoppy Shores also extended their sympathies.
“My wife Tera and I are deeply saddened to hear of the loss of our friend and colleague, Judge Stucky. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Brenda and his family. We honor and remember the years of service given to Kanawha County by Judge Stucky,” Salango said.
“I knew Judge Stucky for many years during his dedicated service to the citizens of Kanawha County. He will be missed,” Shores said. “My wife Bronson and I send our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
The commission ordered all flags on commission property to be lowered to half staff. An official state of mourning will be declared once funeral services are arranged.
All five justices of the state Supreme Court responded to the death in a news release.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Beth Walker said, “On this sad day, we are grateful for Judge Stucky’s many years of admirable public service and express our sincere condolences to Brenda and his entire family.”
Justice Tim Armstead, a former Speaker of the House from Kanawha County, said, “I got to know him well when we were campaigning for offices and he had a good sense of humor. He served Kanawha County and our state with honor and dedicated public service. He was a fair judge, and the court system will miss him.”
Justice John Hutchison, a former longtime Raleigh County Circuit Judge, “It’s a very, very sad day for the judiciary in the state of West Virginia. Jim was a friend and an absolutely superb circuit judge, and he will be missed.”
Justice Evan Jenkins said, “Judge Stucky spent his career in public service. He approached every task and every decision with dedication. His respect for the rule of law was exemplary. His friends in the court system will miss him.”
Supreme Court Justice Margaret Workman, a former Kanawha County Circuit Judge, said, “Jim Stucky dedicated his life to the justice system, serving as the Prosecuting Attorney and a Circuit Court Judge for Kanawha County for many years. He faced major health challenges with great courage and dedication to his work. Jim was an excellent judge, a wonderful person, and a good friend. He was hard-working, intelligent, and always exceptionally fair and courteous to everyone. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”