06/02/2026
Prayers for the family
James David Link of Newport, VA departed this life on May 31, 2026. He was born on January 25, 1934 to the late Ernest Lee Link and Etta Viar Link at their homeplace in Plowscrew. He lived in the house he and his father built, raising his family with his beloved wife Doris Lucas Link who preceded him in death after 70 years of marriage. Also preceding him in death are his brother Russell L. Link and his wife Reba H. Link; his brother E. Allen Link; his brothers-in-law Cecil E. Porterfield and Eddie E. Epling and his nieces Debra Link Porterfield and Amanda S. Porterfield.
He will be deeply missed by his children, Valerie Jones (Alvin) of Newport, Sylvia Duckett (Wayne) of Shawsville, A.D. (Johnny) Link (Bonnie) of Blacksburg, and Timothy Link of Annapolis, MD; his adored grandchildren and great grandchildren, Adam Jones and his children Devin, Audrey, Nate, and Mason of Fredericksburg, David Duckett and his wife Zeynep of Christiansburg, Emily Duckett and her husband Ignacio Aguirre and their children, Aiden and Alaina of Beckley, WV; and his sisters Beulah Epling, Jean Porterfield, and sister-in-law Eleanor Link; his brother-in-law, Donald Lucas (Martha) and sister-in-law Linda Jones (Mike). He will likewise be missed by his many nieces and nephews.
A skilled tool and die maker, he began working at Poly-Scientific, was a partner in Highland Precision and retired from Electro-Tec. An observant man of practical mind, he found success with most of the things he set his hands to, whether making machine parts, fixing odds and ends, playing guitar or woodworking. He spent much of his time outdoors. He and his brother Hooty shared many interests through the years building their own fun (scooters, a pool table, etc.) and forming an unbreakable bond in the process. They especially enjoyed metal detecting adventures along with Alvin searching for Civil War artifacts and long lost treasure and discovering history.
As a founding member of First Christian Church of Newport he served his community and his Lord. A man of few words, he faced the trials of life with stoicism and faith. He loved his family and his home. We remember him as a man of quiet strength like the mountain to which he will return and be laid to rest beside his wife Doris.
The family will receive friends at a time of visitation on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM in Kendall Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 2:00 PM in Kendall Funeral Home with Pastor Roger Henderson officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in his honor and memory to Newport Rescue Squad. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home are honored to serve the Link family.
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be disquieted in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jeremiah 17:7-8)
