WHEELING – James Dague struggled with physical infirmities, but that never deterred him from being a smart and kind-hearted person, according to those who knew him.

Dague passed away this week at age 55 from a short illness. Those who knew Dague, who was born with cerebral palsy, say his life and actions touched many, and that he isn’t likely to be forgotten soon.

Dague graduated from Wheeling Park High School in 1988. He would go on to obtain an associate degree from West Virginia Northern Community College in 1993, and a bachelor’s degree from the former West Liberty State College in 1995.

Dague worked as a part-time staff member with the Committee on Education, West Virginia House of Delegates, and was appointed a special deputy sheriff with the Ohio County Sheriff’s department by former Sheriff Tom Burgoyne in July 2004.

He was the Legislative Coordinator for American Legion Mountaineer Boys’ State since 1987; the president of the Wheeling Civitan Club from 2001-2002; governor, West Virginia District Civitan Club, 2002-2004; and a member of the virtual Marshall County Genealogy Society, according to information on the West Liberty University website.

Dague was especially known for portraying U.S. President Abraham Lincoln at local events.

He established a West Liberty University Bookstore Scholarship to assist qualifying students there with the cost of texts and other needed supplies, and also maintained ties with his former WPHS classmates.

“James was a wonderful, giving person and friend to so many. I consider myself lucky to call him a good friend,” said former Delegate Erikka Storch, R-Ohio, who graduated with Dague. “He cared deeply about his classmates, Boys State, and the West Virginia Legislature.

“I have had the fantastic opportunity to learn so much about history — local, legislative, and statewide — from him. His portrayals of Abraham Lincoln are forever in my mind. West Virginia suffered a great loss on May 5, and it will be very difficult to fill this void. My thoughts and prayers are with his grieving family and friends.”

Brent Worls was another classmate of Dague’s, but it wasn’t until more recent years that he came to know him better.

“We went to school together, and we were acquaintances and friends,” Worls said. “But as an adult, he had over the years needed help with getting to and from treatments at the hospital.

“Several years ago – starting before COVID – I started to help him to get to his appointments a couple of times a week.”

Worls found out Dague enjoyed keeping track of happenings with his family, his former classmates and the members at his church – Roney’s Point Presbyterian Church.

“If anything happened with anybody, he was always quick to bring it to anybody’s attention. That was important to him,” Worls said.

Dague also spent much time assisting with Boys State, and “did as much as he could.”

“He made regular trips there, but not in recent years,” Worls said. “It got to be so hard for him, as well as for those who helped him get around.”

He noted that Dague appreciated everyone, was “super kind,” and grateful for every opportunity he had.

“His mind and his mental encouragement for others was never an issue,” Worls said. “He loved Wheeling and the state of West Virginia, and he is going to be missed. It is unfortunate as an adult he had to grow into a body he couldn’t manage well.

“But he was always optimistic. He was always wanting to do things and be involved.”

Former West Virginia Senate President Jeff Kessler, D-Marshall, said he first met Dague when he was a senator, and Dague was serving as Civitans president. Dague would often ask Kessler to speak at their luncheons.

“He reminded me he had worked at the Legislature,” Kessler said. “I became friendly with him over the years, and he would give me a call or I would give him a call.”

He noted he last spoke to Dague while he was in the hospital.

“I found him to be a genuine, kindhearted individual with insight on a number of different things,” Kessler said. “He had a pure and kind heart, and was willing to help other people. He was a gentle soul, and he will be missed by the community.

“He had a difficult life, but he made the most of it. He inspired many in a positive way.”

Another WPHS classmate, Holly Worls, said Dague always called her “my homecoming queen.”

“He was my best friend. He always made me feel especially special,” she said. “I live in Georgia now, and we always talked twice a week. He always cheered me up, let me talk, and never complained about anything.

“We all have complaints about life. If anyone had a right to complain, he did. We could learn a lot from him.”

Holly Worls said whenever she came back to Wheeling she would go visit Dague and take him healthy food. That’s because she knew his penchant for drinking too much chocolate milk.

“I always called him for questions on things I didn’t know about because he was so smart,” Holly Worls said. “He amazed me how well he handled things.

“He was always a bright light in my life,” she said. “I will miss him terribly. I loved James. Now I know he’s running and feeling happy, and that makes me feel better.”