Phillip Thomas Lovell

Phillip “Tommy” Lovell, also known as “Fuzz”, 81, died Sunday, August 7th in his hometown of Soak Creek, West Virginia. He was a loving husband and father, a hard worker, and a cherished friend to many.

Tommy was born the son of Bud and Laura Lovell. Tommy and his wife, Patricia “Trish” Lovell, grew up together in Soak Creek. Love-at-first-sight grew into 59 amazing years of marriage, five children, seven grandchildren, seven
great-grandchildren, and a beautiful life together in the same place they first laid eyes on each other. A lifelong hard worker, Tommy started out young cutting and hauling mining post with a mule and plowing gardens for his family. At age 16 he started working on engines. Tommy was a coal miner for 24 years for Pittston Coal to support his wife and children. He instilled his hard-working nature in all of his loved ones, teaching them to earn a living by the sweat of their brow. Tommy was talented and had many hobbies. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, he was a champion race-car driver at the Beckley Speedway. He also loved hunting, fishing, trapping, singing, and ginsenging and was incredibly talented at them all. Friends would describe Tommy as someone willing to help anyone in need. He even sawed lumber to build houses for many of his friends and family. Some would also describe Tommy as a “Good Ole Boy.” He had integrity, was a man of his word, and he was a strong-willed man who was a leader to many.

Tommy is preceded in death by his parents Bud and Laura Lovell, sisters June Miller and Jeanne Dressel, brother Buddy Lovell, daughter Tammy Kincaid, and granddaughter Laura Lawson.

Tommy is survived by his wife Patricia “Trish” Lovell; his brother Jackie Lovell; his four children, Patricia Johnson (Wayne), Paula Nichols (George), Tommy Lovell (Kimberly), Pamela Frey (Steve); his son-in-law Steve Kincaid; his grandchildren, Daniel Johnson (Brianna), Brandon Lawson (Shay), Amanda Lawson, Katrina Lovell (Michael), Steven Frey (Kristan), and Heather Nichols (Max); his great-grandchildren Caleb Snyder, Cayden Snyder, Kyler Lovell, Cameron Snyder, Caysen Snyder, Aralea West, Chandler Muffick, and Liberty Lawson; and his best friend who was like a son Jamie Delp.

Funeral services will be held at Melton Mortuary in Beckley, West Virginia with Rev. Larry Cochran officiating. The family will receive visitors at the viewing on Friday, August the 12th from 5-7 p.m. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August the 13th at 11:00 a.m. A graveside burial will follow at Vest Cemetery in Jumping Branch, WV. Grandsons and son-in-laws will serve as pallbearers, along with honorary pallbearer Jamie Delp.

Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. Words of comfort may be sent to the family by visiting www.meltonmortuary.com

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