cartwright
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Registered: Sep 2008
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News
Wednesday April 14, 2010
Miners had one last dinner with families
Many victims of the mine explosion had gathered for Easter dinner just the day before
by The Associated Press
The Associated Press
Julie Jones, left, Cassie Jones, center, and Susan England gather together during a vigil in Mullens to honor the 29 miners who were killed inside Upper Big Branch Mine. They are relatives of Dean Jones, one of the victims.Advertiser
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the West Virginia miners killed in last week's explosion, Easter dinner was the final time they would spend with relatives.
For Dean Jones, it wasn't his last taste of his mother-in-law's cooking.
Alice Peters said Jones loved deviled eggs in particular, and she fixed a tray of them on April 4. But she forgot to put the eggs on the dinner table. So after dinner she summoned Jones' 13-year-old son, Kyle, to go to the front porch to let his dad know that the eggs were available.
"He said he would take them home with him," Peters said.
The next day, Jones was among the 29 workers killed in a mid-afternoon explosion at the Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine.
Peters would spend the next several days watching her grandson at Jones' home in Beckley while her daughter, Gina, awaited word on her 47-year-old husband with other grief-stricken families at the mine site.
While at the house, Peters remembered to check Jones' refrigerator to see if her son-in-law had enjoyed the eggs before going to work the next day.
"He had eaten some of them," Peters said. "He just loved to eat."
The family did more than just break bread together.
After Dean and Gina Jones were married about 16 years ago, he promised Peters he'd take swimming lessons if she would join him.
"Dean didn't know how to swim," said Peters, who had taken lessons with her two daughters when they were growing up.
Having the opportunity to learn how to swim "tickled him to death," Peters said.
After that, the family would put those lessons to use on annual vacations to Daytona Beach, she said.
Not all of the dead have been identified. These are the stories of those who have been named so far, either by mine owner Massey Energy Co., the medical examiner, or family members and friends.
Nicolas McCroskey
Nick McCroskey was a bundle of energy and devoted sports fan, said longtime friend Shanda Staton.
The 26-year-old Beckley resident "was full of life,'' Staton said. "I mean, he loved life.''
McCroskey graduated from Bluefield State College in 2006 with an engineering degree and loved a variety of sports.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the West Virginia miners killed in last week's explosion, Easter dinner was the final time they would spend with relatives.
For Dean Jones, it wasn't his last taste of his mother-in-law's cooking.
Alice Peters said Jones loved deviled eggs in particular, and she fixed a tray of them on April 4. But she forgot to put the eggs on the dinner table. So after dinner she summoned Jones' 13-year-old son, Kyle, to go to the front porch to let his dad know that the eggs were available.
"He said he would take them home with him," Peters said.
The next day, Jones was among the 29 workers killed in a mid-afternoon explosion at the Massey Energy's Upper Big Branch mine.
Peters would spend the next several days watching her grandson at Jones' home in Beckley while her daughter, Gina, awaited word on her 47-year-old husband with other grief-stricken families at the mine site.
While at the house, Peters remembered to check Jones' refrigerator to see if her son-in-law had enjoyed the eggs before going to work the next day.
"He had eaten some of them," Peters said. "He just loved to eat."
The family did more than just break bread together.
After Dean and Gina Jones were married about 16 years ago, he promised Peters he'd take swimming lessons if she would join him.
"Dean didn't know how to swim," said Peters, who had taken lessons with her two daughters when they were growing up.
Having the opportunity to learn how to swim "tickled him to death," Peters said.
After that, the family would put those lessons to use on annual vacations to Daytona Beach, she said.
Not all of the dead have been identified. These are the stories of those who have been named so far, either by mine owner Massey Energy Co., the medical examiner, or family members and friends.
Nicolas McCroskey
Nick McCroskey was a bundle of energy and devoted sports fan, said longtime friend Shanda Staton.
The 26-year-old Beckley resident "was full of life,'' Staton said. "I mean, he loved life.''
McCroskey graduated from Bluefield State College in 2006 with an engineering degree and loved a variety of sports.
He regularly attended NASCAR events at Bristol Motor Speedway in Virginia also loved to go four-wheeling and dirt bike riding. He was a fan of baseball, water skiing, hunting and fishing and owned a motorcycle, Staton said.
"He was loyal,'' said Staton, who attended college with McCroskey. "He was sweet and helpful and underneath it all, he was kind hearted.''
Adam Morgan
Adam Morgan wore No. 24 on Wyoming East High School's football team in his senior year in 2006 when the Warriors made the state Class AA playoffs.
More than his athletic abilities, Principal Barry Smith recalled Morgan for his manners.
"As a principal you don't remember everyone, but you do remember kids who are nice and students who are polite, and that's what I remember about him," Smith said. "Very cordial and just kind of quiet."
Wyoming East held a moment of silence Monday for Morgan, 21, of Pineville, and three other victims of the disaster - 2001 graduate Nick McCroskey and two miners whose relatives worked at the school.
Grover Dale Skeens
Grover Skeens found religion later in life and was involved in that extensively, said his brother, Gary Skeens of Dunbar.
Grover Skeens, 57, of Montcoal, was one of five siblings who grew up in Twilight in Boone County. He got his middle name from a brother-in-law, Jimmy Dale Massey.
"I don't know how my wife talked her mother into that," Massey said.
Skeens joined the Marines after the Vietnam War before becoming a coal miner like his brother Gary.
"Mostly, his passion was work," Massey said. "He started out in the coal mines at an early age. He's been working there for almost 30 years."
About 15 years ago Skeens was baptized and has had a strong church involvement ever since.
"He went to church all the time," Gary Skeens said.
Massey is presiding at a graveside service today.
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