John Marshall Alderson, IV, age 86, of Alderson, W.Va., passed away due to a sudden illness on Friday, February 26, 2016, at his home in Alderson, with his wife by his side.

Born February 20, 1930, at UVA Hospital in Charlottesville, Va., he was the son of the late John Marshall Alderson, III, and the late Elizabeth Creigh Alderson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Alderson Graham; and an infant son, David.

John was a sixth-generation descendant of Elder John Alderson, who settled the town of Alderson in 1777 and founded Old Greenbrier Baptist Church in 1781.

He graduated as Valedictorian of the Alderson High School class of 1948. After high school, he attended the University of Richmond in Richmond, Va., where he was a member of Kappa Sigma and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1952. While he was an undergraduate, he completed United States Marine Corps training at Quantico, Va. He went on to graduate from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1955 and attained a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree.

He worked for State Farm Insurance for 37 years, and when his father passed away became the third-generation owner of J.M. Alderson’s Store.

He loved antiques, architecture, woodworking and, above all, anything having to do with water — from growing up playing in the Greenbrier River, to years of family vacations at Myrtle Beach, and then many happy days boating at Smith Mountain Lake.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Betty June Thompson Alderson; son John Marshall Alderson V, his wife Lisa and their son John Marshall Alderson VI; son Joseph Newman Alderson III, his wife Molly, their daughters Aundrea Yost Kelly and Emily Elizabeth Alderson, as well as their three grandchildren; and two daughters, Sarah Elizabeth Alderson and Mary Lynn Alderson.

The funeral service will be Monday, February 29, 2016, at 11 a.m. at the Old Greenbrier Baptist Church, Alderson, W.Va., with the Rev. Lanny Howe officiating. Burial will follow at the Alderson Cemetery, Alderson, W.Va.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alderson Volunteer Fire Department and EMS, P.O. Box 647, Alderson, WV 24910, the Alderson Bridge Trust Fund, P.O. Box 295, Alderson, WV 24910, or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements by Lobban Funeral Home, Alderson, W.Va.