In recent years, the University of Virginia’s men’s basketball team has experienced unprecedented success – consistently ranked among the top teams in the country. However, although the 2017 season has yet to begin, the ‘Hoos suffered one of its biggest losses in decades with the passing of Dr. James Nestor (74). As an alumnus (class of ’71), uber fan, armchair coach, and unofficial statistician, Dr. Nestor never missed a game. Sometimes traveling to Charlottesville to see the team play, and sometimes watching on television from his home in Hedgesville, West Virginia, he followed the team through good times and bad. And although they didn’t achieve his dream of having won the national championship in his lifetime, they can rest assured that he will continue to watch, coach, and yell at the refs from his luxury box in the sky until they do.

At the same time, the Nestor family mourns the loss of its patriarch. James (aka Jim, or Jimmy) served as story teller, family reunion coordinator, counselor, sage, craftsman, technical support specialist, and speaker of truth. He was well known for his dry sense of humor and wit. Most importantly, he cherished his role as husband, father, and grandfather.

Growing up in Fairmont, West Virginia, James and his sister Nancy were taught the value of hard work and education by their parents, William and Verda. Having worked his way through college, he received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fairmont State University. He was an officer in the Theta Xi fraternity, was a member of the college choir, was elected president of the senior class, and listed on Who’s Who at American Universities. His education continued, and he completed a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Kent State University in Ohio, and finally a doctorate in Education from his beloved University of Virginia.

James’ distinguished professional career began as a college professor at UVa., Indian River Community College in Florida, and Marshall University in West Virginia. In the late 1970s, James transitioned to the private sector, founding the Microsolve Consulting Company, which he ran for four years. He joined the Ernst & Whinney accounting firm in 1980 as a computer programmer. He stayed with the company for twenty six years, which included a merger with Arthur Young to become Ernst & Young. After the merger, he was relocated to New York, and promoted into Research and Development, and finally earned the title of Global Infrastructure Architect. During his time at E&Y, he also found time to write a weekly computer column for the Cleveland Plain Dealer and author a book: Business Bytes. He retired in 2006.

Throughout his life, James enjoyed many hobbies and interests. He was a lifelong member of the United Methodist church, where he volunteered as part of the Pastor Parish Committee, choir member, computer consultant, and trustee. In addition to following his alma matter, he coached little league, attended meetings of the Hedgesville Car Club, and loved camping, photography, building computers, and wood working. Besides college basketball, his favorite pastime was amateur radio. Having earned the highest level of operator certification, he mastered Morse code at an early age. As HAM WK8G, James belonged to numerous clubs, taught radio certification courses, built radios, participated in field days, disaster preparedness activities, and other events and competitions around the country. He also used his radio expertise to speak with colleagues all over the world.

James is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lucinda, his daughter, Merilee and son-in-law William Datlenko of Medina, Ohio, son, Mark and daughter-in-law Alicia Nestor of Wallingford, Pennsylvania, and grandchildren Lucinda Grace Datlenko, Mary Catherine Datlenko, Justin Huett Nestor and Jacob Huett Nestor.

Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 10:30AM at Rehobeth United Methodist Church with Dr. George Earle officiating.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to American Cancer Society cancer.org; HospiceOTP.org.

Arrangements by Brown Funeral Home.

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