Tuggle, John Wesley
John Wesley Tuggle, 66, of Oak Hill, West Virginia, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 18, 2026.
John was a loving husband, father and grandfather; a man of strong Christian faith; a respected leader and mentor; and a dedicated public servant who spent his career working to make West Virginia and its communities stronger.
John served as Executive Director of the Region 4 Planning and Development Council, where he devoted his career to economic and community development. He was a tireless advocate for the communities he served and was widely respected for his knowledge, leadership and commitment to moving West Virginia forward.
Yet those who knew John best understood that his accomplishments and professional title were only a small part of who he was. John was kind, patient and generous, and he was genuinely interested in others. He freely shared his knowledge and was always willing to offer advice, encouragement or a helping hand. He had a quiet strength and a way of making people feel valued.
The tremendous outpouring of love and condolences following John’s passing speaks volumes about the life he lived. Colleagues have remembered him as a trusted friend and mentor—someone they could call for guidance and know that he would make time for them. Others simply knew him as John: the man who would sit in the sand and play with a child, listen to a friend, share a laugh or give someone his undivided attention. Whether he was helping shape the future of a West Virginia community or making a little boy feel special, John gave people one of the greatest gifts a person can give—his time.
John’s Christian faith was an important part of his life and guided the way he treated others. His kindness, generosity, lighthearted spirit and love for others will continue to live on through the many people whose lives he touched.
Above all else, John loved his family. He is survived by his loving wife, Romona; his son, Jeremiah Tuggle and wife, Cortney; his daughter, Meagan Jones and husband, Mark; and his daughter, Sarah Edwards and husband, Jason.
John was a proud and loving grandfather to Kendall, Kora, Rylan, Isla and Roman. He is also survived by his goddaughter, Barbara Bates; his bonus children, Teresa and Josh Sorrell, Shawn and Erika Harmon, and Nina Harmon and Luke Lively; and his bonus grandchildren, Payton and Eli Holstein.
John is also survived by his sister, Carol Wentz and husband, Jim; his brother, Bill Tuggle and wife, Bobbie; and his brother-in-law, Sonny Jeffers.
John shared a particularly special bond with his nieces and nephews. They held a cherished place in his heart, and the close relationships he shared with them brought him great joy. He will also be deeply missed by his extended family, friends and colleagues.
John was preceded in death by his mother, Kathryn Marie; his father, William Robert Tuggle; his sister, Nora Jeffers; and his brother, Neal Tuggle.
John leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond his professional accomplishments. It lives in communities made stronger by his work, in colleagues who became better leaders because of his guidance, in friends who knew they could count on him and, most of all, in the family he loved so dearly.
In keeping with the generous and giving spirit that defined his life, John’s body was donated to science—a final gift that may help advance knowledge and benefit others for years to come.
He will be deeply missed, lovingly remembered and never forgotten.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until noon at United Methodist Temple, 201 Templeview Drive, Beckley, West Virginia. A service celebrating John’s life will immediately follow from noon until 1:00 p.m.
