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Joe A. Gumm, 90, a resident of Elkins, passed away on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at Mountain Memories Assisted Living & Retirement Center in Elkins. He was born on Dec 20, 1935, in Gilman, West Virginia, a son of the late James Wallace Gumm and Ruby Gordon Weaver Gumm.
On March 12, 1956, in Clarksburg, West Virginia, he married Vonda Ruth Richman, who survives in Elkins. Also surviving are his daughter, Deborah Ruth Stevens and husband, Brian, of Parsons, West Virginia; granddaughter, Leslie Delaine “Dee” Stevens; three brothers, Philip Wayne Gumm and wife, Judy, of Waynesboro, Virginia, Steven Daniel Gumm and wife, Debbie, of London, Ohio, and John Stanley Gumm and wife, Susan, of Westfield Center, Ohio; one sister, Joyce Ann Borror Burgess of North Ridgeville, Ohio; sister-in-law, Erma Gumm of Grafton, Ohio; and a special adopted “granddaughter,” Cindy Harsh.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, infant James Dale Gumm, Thomas Michael Gumm, Kenneth Jarred Gumm and David Wallace Gumm; and by one sister, Marie Gumm Jenkins.
Joe was an entrepreneur throughout his adult life. He owned a Sealtest Foods wholesale route, operated The Dari-Delight in Crystal Springs, managed Gumm's Beef and Dairy Farms, and most recently owned the Randolph County Recycling Center. His public employment included trucking for Dutch Oven Bakery, The White Way Produce, Milk Marketing and serving as manager of the Randolph County Airport Authority. He also provided custodial services for the National Weather Service and the Federal Aviation Administration.
Joe was well known across the region for his work in soil conservation. He was honored as Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1988 and later served as a soil conservation supervisor, representing his district. He went on to serve two terms as president of the state committee, traveling to conferences nationwide during his 40-year tenure. He took great pride in helping farmers and landowners improve their land and waterways. One of his most significant accomplishments was the acquisition and construction of the Elk Fork Dam near Monterville, West Virginia, which now provides water to many families in the area.
His dedication to public service began early as a volunteer firefighter with the Leading Creek VFD. He helped establish the Canon Envirothon for high school students in West Virginia and was committed to creating outdoor classrooms at several high schools throughout the state. Joe was also a member of the Elkins Rotary Club and the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce.
During his years in conservation work, Joe received numerous awards, including the Carroll Greene Award and the National Conservation District Special Service Award. In July 2021, he was deeply honored to be inducted into the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Hall of Fame.
Joe was a devoted student of the Bible and eagerly shared his faith. He encouraged others to “find out who you are, where you came from, and where you are going before leaving this earth.”
The Gumm family attended Orlena Global Methodist Church, Coffman Chapel and Riverview Chapel Church.
Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 7, 2026, at the Tomblyn Funeral Home in Elkins. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Paul Thompson officiating. Interment will follow at Mountain State Memorial Gardens near Gilman.
Memorial contributions may be made to the West Virginia Conservation Scholarship Program, WVACD, 742 Airport Road, Sutton, WV 26601, or to the Gilman Cemetery, c/o Don Phares, 1638 Parsons Road, Montrose, WV 26283, in memory of Joe.
The Tomblyn Funeral Home of Elkins is in charge of the arrangements for Joe A. Gumm.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.tomblynfuneralhome.com.