Gov. Jim Justice, right, and the late Tom Azinger are pictured at a press conference in October 2018 in Parkersburg announcing Azinger’s appointment to the vacancy in the House of Delegates after Frank Deem died. Azinger passed away Saturday. (File Photo)

PARKERSBURG — A Vienna City Councilman who served more than two decades in the West Virginia House of Delegates is being remembered for his service.

Tom Azinger died on Saturday at the age of 89 at Wingate Senior Living.

A sitting member of Vienna City Council, Azinger, a Republican, served more than 20 years in the Legislature.

“He was an excellent legislator,” Delegate Bill Anderson, R-Wood County, said Tuesday.

Anderson was in the House for two years before serving with Azinger, who was elected in 1994. Azinger served in the House from 1994 to 2014.

Azinger was thoughtful and listened to everyone, said Anderson, who is the longest serving member of the House. He would consider all sides, but had his convictions, Anderson said.

“That was the old Marine in him,” Anderson, an Air Force veteran, said.

Also serving in the House with Azinger was Judge J.D. Beane of Wood County.

“I really enjoyed my time with him and have nothing but good things to say about him,” Beane said.

Beane recounted a story about a friend who owned property near Stadium Field where he asked to erect a campaign sign. Azinger also asked the owner to put a sign on the property. The 10th District was a multi-seat district then.

The property owner didn’t understand how such districts worked and told Azinger he already told Beane he could put up a sign, Beane said. Azinger asked the guy how much he wanted for the property and bought it, Beane said.

“We became such good friends that he called me to tell me he wasn’t going to put up a sign unless I did, too,” Beane said. “We worked together to put our signs up there.”

Gov. Jim Justice appointed Azinger to the House in October 2018 after the death of Delegate Frank Deem of Wood County. He ran and won a full term in 2018 and served until 2020 when he successfully ran for Vienna City Council.

“Tom has been an icon for decades in the Mid-Ohio Valley,” Vienna Councilwoman Kim Williams said.

While on the opposite sides of the political spectrum, Williams and Azinger got along well on council.

“We did, actually,” she said,

Among her proudest moments on council was working with Azinger on raising the pay of police officers, Williams said.

“He was adamant about giving our police officers a raise,” she said.

Azinger could have been re-elected to the House anytime he ran, Vienna Mayor Randy Rapp said.

“Tom could have served in the Legislature as long as he wanted to,” Rapp said.

Rapp and Azinger have been friends for many years, Rapp said. Rapp got his business insurance through Azinger’s agency.

Azinger was extremely intelligent and was excellent with numbers and budget issues, but he could open many doors because he knew so many people and had so many friends, Rapp said.

“It didn’t matter what level of government you were in,” Rapp said. “Tom Azinger knew everybody.”

Azinger was born in Parkersburg and graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1953 and from West Virginia University with a degree in business. A U.S. Marine, he owned the Azinger Insurance Agency.

His health had been failing for several years, but took a severe turn in March, his son, Mike, a state senator from Wood County, said.

“He never really recovered from that,” Mike Azinger said.

Mike Azinger said he has been in many campaigns, but the all-time favorite was his father’s first in 1994 when the elder Azinger came in first in the November general election.

“The campaign was a blast because Dad ran it so that everyone could use their ideas and talents to help Dad win,” Azinger said. “And he won strongly.”

Azinger said his dad’s greatest advice “was a metaphor of his life’s investment shone brightly back on him when it was time to go.”

“How his wife, kids, grandkids and great-grandkids all adored him,” Azinger said. “How we all, everyone of us, rushed to his bedside when it was time to say goodbye. And how he wanted all of us there. And we all had stories, many, many stories. That’s great advice.”

Azinger said his father will be remembered for being “Tom.”

“He was just Tom. Even his grandkids, good or bad, called him ‘Tom,'” Azinger said. “Nothing fancy. Just boots in the mud, family loyal, no nonsense, how can I help you, Mail Pouch chewing, America-loving Tom. And, oh, he sure loved West Virginia, too.”

The Governor’s Office will order the lowering of flags on Saturday.

“Cathy and I are praying for Tom’s family because we know he’ll be dearly missed. Tom was a great benefactor in his community, successful businessman, and humble servant to the people of West Virginia,” Justice said. “He truly loved this country and this state. We ask you to please keep him and his family in your prayers.”

Azinger is survived by his wife, Janet, a daughter, three sons and 25 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Vienna Baptist Church. Visitation is from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Lambert Tatman Funeral Home in Vienna and one hour prior to services at the church.