| Earl Carl "Whitey" Adolfson, age 82 of Mineral Road, Glenville, West Virginia, departed this life on Monday evening November 10, 2014 at the Charleston Area Medical Center, Charleston, West Virginia following an extended illness.
Born November 11, 1931 in Belmont, West Virginia, son of the late Earl Carl Sr. and Gertrude Shingleton Adolfson.
He was a "walk-on" with West Virginia University's football team in 1949 before transferring to West Virginia Institute of Technology where he started as center and linebacker from 1950-1953 and graduated in 1954. "Whitey" received his Master of Science degree in Physical Education from WVU in 1962 then taught and coached in Lewis and Wirt County schools and at Southern High School in Oakland, MD before coming to Glenville State College in 1966 as an instructor and assistant football coach.
He was defensive coordinator for the Pioneers from 1968-1974 and celebrated the 1973 team's NAIA Football National Championship Runner-Up honors. Additionally he was assistant basketball coach in 1966 and revived the College's wrestling program from 1968-1975. "Whitey" was head football coach from 1975-1979 and continued teaching and served as assistant athletic director from 1980-1985. After 30 years of teaching and coaching, he pursued a career with I. L. Morris Well Service until his retirement in 1993. Respected by his fellow coaches and student athletes, "Whitey" has been a loyal GSC advocate for over four decades.
He received the 1996 West Virginia Coaches Association's "Retired Coach of the Year" honors for his contributions to coaching and is often referred to as "the players coach". He was a 2008 Glenville State College Curtis Elam Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. Now retired, he continues to be one of the Pioneer's biggest fans.
On May 13, 1950 he was united in marriage to Sarah "Jean" Fultineer Adolfson, who preceded him in death on August 1, 1999.
Surviving are 3 children, Gregory Eugene Adolfson of Charleston WV, Tanya Barker and husband Chuck of Harrisville WV, and Shelly Stalnaker and husband Lynn of Sutton WV; 3 grandchildren, Daphne Stalnaker Pegg of Sutton, Brett Barker and wife Kelli Waverly of WV, and Leah Richards and husband Troy of Parkersburg WV, and 4 great-grandchildren, Tyler Stalnaker of Sutton, Tessa Barker of Waverly, Mahala and Zaya Richards also of Parkersburg.
Pallbearers, John Pratt, Bernie Buttrey, Eddie Williams, Irvin Braniff, Burk Reed, and Brad Reed, and Honorary Pallbearers, Jack Reed, Bob Reed, Dave Hutchison, Eric Smith, Blake Tasker, Rick Trickett, Ed Donatel, Mark Reger, Scotty Yeager, and Craig Thompson.
The family would like to express their sincere thanks to Whitey's caregivers, Rachel Brown, Roberta Smith, Crystal Stewart, and his physical therapist Libby Gibson.
Funeral services will be conducted at the Ellyson Mortuary Inc., 2 Vanhorn Drive, Glenville, West Virginia, at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 16, 2014 with Pastor Mark Stump officiating. Burial will follow in the Broad Run Cemetery, Jane Lew, West Virginia. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Saturday evening at the Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the Glenville State College Athletic Department, C/O Whitey Adolfson or Coach, 200 High Street, Glenville, WV, 26351. Ellyson Mortuary Inc. is assisting the family of Earl Carl "Whitey" Adolfson with arrangements.
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