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| LOTTIE F. S. McCORMICK (1910 - 2003) & J. RUSSELL McCORMICK (1908 - 2004) INDUCTED 2005 |
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| J. Russell McCormick was born in Gerrardstown in Berkeley County, and his wife, who was Lottie F. Strobridge, was born in Frederick County, Virginia. They married May 30, 1931 in Winchester, Virginia, and made Martinsburg their home in 1933. Both attended White Hall School in Virginia, where they met. Their only child, R. Dale McCormick, graduated from Martinsburg High School, Shepherd University, and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Lottie was a charter member of the Berkeley County Republican Club and she held numerous positions in the club. She was President of the Berkeley County Republican Womens' Club for 28 years, from 1958 through 1956. Lottie was very verbal in her belief in the Republican Party, and she was an activist, always working on party affairs, selling tickets, decorating for dinners, or whatever needed to be done.
Russell was twice president of the Berkeley County Republican Club, in 1968 and in 1969. Prior to that, he served in other capacities, and on the Republican Executive Committee. Russell supported Republican activities, not only with his leadership and time, but with financial support. He and Lottie were strong believers in the conservative cause.
For 75 years, Russell was owner of McCormick's Radiator Shop in Martinsburg, and for many of those years, he was the only radiator repairman in the area. He was also an expert locksmith. Lottie helped Russell in the business. During the war years, Russell was an Air Raid Warden.
Russell was a member of the Rock Enon Christian Church, and Lottie the Welltown United Methodist Church. His other activities included membership in the Fraternal Order of Police, Retired Men's Chorus, 32nd degree Mason, Robert White Lodge, and Martinsburg Lions. Lottie served with the Salvation Army, City Hospital Auxiliary, and with the Eastern Star's Rebekah Lodge. In recognition of her service, Governor Arch Moore named Lottie the "West Virginian of the Year" in 1970.
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| CHARLES R. BAIN (1926 - 1999) INDUCTED 2004 |
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| Coming soon.... |
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| C. CALVIN BAYER (1924 - 2003) INDUCTED 2004 |
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| C. CALVIN BAYER Born: July 9, 1924 Died: August 17, 2003 C. Calvin Bayer was born in Martinsburg, West Virginia, graduated from Martinsburg High School, and attended Martinsburg Business and Shepherd colleges. During World War II, Calvin served as a medical technician with the Second Armored Division known as “Hell on Wheels,” originally commanded by General George W. Patton. He entered the U. S. Army in June 1943 and was discharged December 1945. After military service, he worked on the TB Ward at the Veterans Administration hospital before going into the service station, automobile, and real estate businesses carrying his name. In November 1971, in “Citizen of the Week,” the Journal of Martinsburg noted that Sheriff Calvin Bayer is “ . . . the best sheriff Berkeley County ever had,” attributing the comment to frequently heard remarks. While sheriff, Calvin increased the number of deputies from two to seven, and trained the men, for the first time, to provide 24-hour service to the county seven days a week. He also organized the county’s Police Reserves. Calvin was an active member of the Berkeley County Republican Club. He also served on numerous boards within the community, including Salvation Army, Rescue Mission, City Hospital, Chamber of Commerce, PanTran, and Old National and Suburban National banks. He was a member of VFW, American Legion, Moose, Lions, and Jr. Order. Calvin attended St. Luke’s Methodist Church. He married Dorothy Virginia Elliott. Calvin had four children: Charles C. Bayer, Jr., J. Douglas Bayer, Donald L. Bayer, and Pamala L. Bayer. |
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| RUSSELL W. COOK (1916 - 2002) KATHERINE V. COOK (1916 - 1999) INDUCTED 2004 |
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| RUSSELL WILLIAM COOK
Born: January 22, 1916
Died: August 11, 2002
KATHERINE V. WEBBER COOK
Born: May 16, 1916
Died: March 13, 1999
Russell and Katherine Cook were born and educated in Berkeley County, West Virginia, and married July 10, 1937. Russell graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1934.
After their children were grown, Russell and Katherine became active in the Republican Party. Russell served as President of the Republican Club in 1980, and continued to serve in many ways. In 1994, it was Russell’s admiration for President Eisenhower and his persistence in pursuing an idea that convinced the organization to start its annual Eisenhower Dinner.
Katherine was always at Russell’s side. She served on club committees and otherwise worked for the party right alongside Russell. Katherine never hesitated to speak out, and is fondly remembered by Republican Club members for her “feisty” style.
Russell and Katherine started a business in 1939 in a small garage at their residence. This business grew into Cook’s Auto Body and Towing Service. The couple is remembered for the many times that they went above and beyond the call of duty to aid stranded motorists in the over forty years that their business served the community.
Russell’s avocation was flying, and he was a member of the original Civil Air Patrol at the local airport.
Russell and Katherine were lifelong members of St. Luke United Methodist Church and were active in all church activities. The couple raised three children: Phyllis Cook-Gregory, Russell C. Cook, and Kathy Cook. They had six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.
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| OPIE L. ROLLYSON (1926 - 1999) INDUCTED 2004 |
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| OPIE LEON ROLLYSON
Born: February 3, 1926
Died: March 28, 1999
Opie Leon Rollyson was born February 3, 1926, in Braxton County, West Virginia, where he attended school, and where he also met his wife Vera Frances Byrd. At that time he was Chief of Police of Gassaway, West Virginia.
In World War II, Opie was in the United States Navy, and served in the Pacific. Opie came to Berkeley County in 1956 with Dupont, where he stayed 34 years, until retirement. He ran the Dupont water works facility.
In 1960, Opie was among several Republicans who founded the Berkeley County Republican Club, and he was one of the first officers, serving as Vice President. He remained a faithful member until his death on March 28, 1999. Opie was always working for the party in one capacity or another. Because of his steadfastness to the Republican Party and his friendly nature, Opie is fondly remembered as “Mr. Republican.” He was usually the first person present at the Republican Club meetings, where he extended a warm smile and a friendly greeting to everyone. A daughter tells how her father took her to the club meetings from the time she was two years old.
Opie and his wife raised five daughters, and had twelve grandchildren. Aside from his church, his family, and the Republican Party, Opie had a passionate interest in history and he enjoyed antiquing. He was active in the Church of Christ.
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| CHARLES B. RIKER (1922 - 1993) INDUCTED 2004 |
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| CHARLES B. RIKER
Born: August 26, 1922
Died: February 28, 1993
Charles B. Riker was born August 26, 1922, in Berkeley County, and graduated from Martinsburg High School in 1940. He married Mary Ellen Vermilyea, and the couple had two daughters, one son, and three grandchildren.
Political interest started in the Taxpayer’s Association, and Charles was president for a number of years. He then became a member of the Republican Club when it met at the Ridenour School, Moler Avenue. He served as club president and also as the Republican Party Chairman for both Berkeley County and the City of Martinsburg Executive Committees.
After being elected to the Martinsburg City Council, serving from 1962 to 1966,
Charles was influential in seeing that all of the streets in the city of Martinsburg were paved. His children speak of the paving of all of the city streets as among their father’s proudest achievements. There was also the requirement that there be sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, and loans were made by the city for that purpose. At that time, the entire City Council was Republican; Carlton Stuckey was Mayor.
Until his retirement in 1980, Charles B. Riker was an electrician at E. I. Dupont. Two years later, he opened a business known as R&R Coins on Queen Street. R&R’s inventory included coins, stamps, and baseball cards, and was open until a year or so before Charles B. Riker died on February 28, 1993.
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| GOP ROLL OF HONOR ~ REPUBLICAN LEADERS BEYOND THE ORDINARY |
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| The Berkeley County Republican Roll of Honor was established in 2004 to honor those Republicans who receive the Distinguished Service Award. The names of those so honored are permanently displayed on a plaque at the Berkeley County Courthouse. Listed below are the recipients of the Distinguished Service Award--the members of the Berkeley County Republican Roll of Honor.
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