MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Former state lawmaker Eugene Claypole has died.
The former member of the state Senate and House of Delegates was 86.
“Gene was as kind as he was strong, he would give you the shirt off his back,” fellow former lawmaker Mike Caputo told WAJR Radio. “But he was a strong union leader who believed firmly in the union movement and did all he could to advance the rights of working-class folks in West Virginia, particularly coal miners.”
Claypole was a father of six who worked in the coal mines for several decades before working into a representative role with UMWA District 31. During his multi-decade tenure with the union, he served as the compensation director of the district, eventually serving as president of the UMWA district for several years.
Caputo said Claypole had passion for his fellow miners.
“Back in the 70s and 80s we had some really tough times, and there was a lot of wildcat strikes going on, times were pretty wild–to maneuver us through that is quite an accomplishment,” he said.
Claypole served as a member of the State Senate from 1991 to 1994 as a representative of the 14th District. After that tenure, he later served for several years in the House of Delegates.
Claypole’s generosity expanded even when he was a veteran in the legislature, Caputo said.
“He helped me tremendously as a young delegate,” Caputo said. “Learning the ropes, the ins and outs of the legislature, and teaching me the rules in how to get things done down there, so I’ll always be indebted to Gene for that.”
Caputo wants the Mountain State to remember a resident that showed what it is like to live as a West Virginian.
“I would just like to offer my condolences to his family and ask the public to keep Gene and his family in their thoughts and prayers because he certainly was a tremendous asset to the union movement and the people that he served,” he said.
Claypole is survived by three children, 16 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.