Man who was Extremely Adorned Military Veteran of 33 Years, College President, Dr. John Counts, Passes

Dr. John Eldridge Counts, 84, of Morgantown, West Virginia, handed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, surrounded by his family members. Born on March 21, 1941, in Denver, Colorado, John was the beloved son of John and Helen Counts.

John was a proud graduate of the US Navy Academy at West Level and had additionally earned two Grasp of Science levels from the Georgia Institute of Expertise, in addition to a PhD from the College of Texas. He served within the U.S. Military for 33 years. As a U.S. Military Airborne Ranger for the 82nd Airborne Division, he served three excursions—one within the Dominican Republic and two in Vietnam—the place he obtained a number of Bronze Stars in addition to two Purple Hearts. As well as, he served eight years in Germany, together with 40 months because the Chief of Employees of the U.S. Command in Berlin through the fall of the Berlin Wall. His stateside excursions additionally included three years on the Joint Chiefs of Employees on the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and serving as Chief of Employees on the U.S. Military Warfare Faculty in Carlisle, PA.

After retiring from the navy, he went on to turn into the President of Western New Mexico College, the place he served for 18 years till his eventual retirement in 2011.

Alongside along with his many accomplishments, he was an exquisite father, husband, mentor, and buddy. He was a really form, lighthearted, and devoted man who spent his life bettering and inspiring the lives of others.

He will probably be deeply missed by his spouse, Barbara L. Counts; his daughter, Pleasure D. Nugent, and her husband, Courtney A. Nugent; his grandson, Dr. Grant E. Nugent; his niece, Lori Corridor, and her husband, Mitch Corridor; and their three youngsters, Kelly, Kevin, and Kyle. He may also be enormously missed by his stepdaughter-in-law, Debra James, and her eight youngsters. He will probably be remembered by his different stepchildren, Mike James, Tobi James, and Michaele James and her two youngsters.

John was predeceased by his first spouse, Dr. Mona M. Counts, and his two sisters, Jannie Hanna and her husband, Dave Hanna, and Judy Worth and her husband, Bruce Worth.

Cremation preparations have been entrusted to Hastings Funeral Residence. In lieu of flowers, the household requests that donations be made to Amedisys Hospice of Morgantown.

The household extends their heartfelt gratitude to the Amedisys Hospice care crew and the VA Caregiver Help crew.

On-line condolences could also be made at www.hastingsfuneralhome.com.