Larry K. VanGosen
1943-2020
Larry Kent VanGosen, 76, of Berkeley Springs, died Friday, February 7, 2020 at Hospice of the Panhandle Inpatient Facility in Kearneysville.
Born October 13, 1943 in Berkeley Springs, he was the son of the late Berkeley Carter and Martha Ellen Barney VanGosen.
He was a Christian.
He attended Berkeley Springs High School and Morris Harvey College in Charleston.
He graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy in 1974. He worked in law enforcement for over 40 years of services with Morgan County Sheriff’s Department, Paw Paw Police Department and Harpers Ferry Police Department.
He worked as a driver examiner for the West Virginia Department of Public Safety and he retired from the Department of Corrections.
After his retirement, he continued working as a court bailiff for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.
He participated in the Shop-With-A-Cop Program for many years. He was a longtime supporter of St. Jude Children’s Hospital. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #83 where he served as past president and state secretary, Loyal Order of Moose Lodge #1483 and was a 55 year member with the Berkeley Springs Volunteer Fire Department.
He participated with the Adopt A Highway Program in Berkeley County for 20 years.
He liked to eat out and was a WVU Mountaineer fan.
He is survived by his children, Janice Thompson and Sarita Bowers, both of Berkeley Springs and Justin Brant, Felton, Del.; two sisters, Betty Burton and Nancy Havermale, both of Berkeley Springs; one brother, Ronald VanGosen, Berkeley Springs, seven grandchildren, Jacqueline Garman and Keith Bowers, both of Berkeley Springs, Kenny and Kelly Bowers, both of Hedgesville, Miles, Henry and Wyatt Brant all of Gainsboro, Va.; seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four sisters, Fairy Oyerly, Ethel Bent, Biddy Courtney and Phyllis Wills and four brothers, Clyde, Pete, Bobby and Richard VanGosen.
Memorial services will be conducted at noon on Saturday, February 15 at Calvary Bible Church, 2065 Valley Road, Berkeley Springs with Pastors Chip O’Roke and B.J. Worley officiating. Burial will be private.
Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Humane Society of Morgan County, P.O. Box 705, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411.
Arrangements are being handled by Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs.
