Bartow, West Virginia – James Dehaven, a middle school student sadly passed away in a tragic car accident on Saturday, February 25, 2023. We learned about this from the tributes that friends and family members put on social media. James was born and brought up in Bartow, West Virginia, he was a student at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School.
James Dehaven was the third Green Bank Elementary/Middle School student who died in 1 year and 4 months. James played in the county tournament just a few short weeks ago. West Virginia School Closings, a Facebook page released a statement following the death of James on Sunday.
All Pocahontas County Schools will operate on a three hour delay for Monday February 27, 2023. All staff will report at their regular hours. Bus operators will run on the 3 hour delay schedule. This action is occurring due to the unfathomable passing of another student at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School. Counseling services for staff at the three schools affected will be available during the three hours prior to the students reporting. Staff not affected may use this time for collaboration or for planning.
Please extend your sympathies and compassion to the James Dehaven family as they grieve his passing and please keep our staff and students at Green Bank Elementary/Middle School in your prayers. This is the third student death in 1 year and 4 months. James played in the county tournament just a few short weeks ago. With great love comes great grief. We love all our students, and the depths of our grief will eventually dissipate but our memories and care for our students will always endure. Hoping for blessings of comfort and peace and for our entire staff the strength to go forward to teach, care, and love our children. May your Sunday evening be reflective and restful.
As a result of this death, friends, family, and loved ones have paid tributes across different social media platforms, some of the tributes are below;
Leatha Arbogast the mother of James’s friend Joey Arbogast released a statement following the death of James. She wrote, “As you go on with today I’m asking you to say a little prayer for a few special people that mean so much to me! My Husband Lewis Ray Arbogast II and his family as we lay my Father-in-Law to rest this afternoon. And for the family and friends of James DeHaven who left us suddenly in a tragic accident early Saturday morning. And also for my son Joey Arbogast and his friends that were some of James’s best and closest friends.”
Charity DeHaven, James’s cousin wrote, “Rest easy cousin James u was like a brother to me and Austin we love you so much and miss you we all had good times with u family and friends we love you so much, and miss you and u will always be in our hearts. Rest easy James DeHaven.”
Chasity Wimer, a family member wrote, “Rest easy James DeHaven thank you for being the little brother I needed these past few years. It’s gonna be hard not seeing you or picking on you. I love you and I’ll always be so thankful I got to meet you…You will always be in our hearts. Casey and Shawn if you need anything I’m just a phone call away I love you both.”
Funeral arrangements will be officially released by the family.
