John Protan, a former Boone County sheriff and Democratic leader, died Friday at age 95.
Protan, who had terms in 1965-69, 1972-76 and 1976-80, was the only person to have served 12 years as sheriff in Boone County. He served as the president of the West Virginia Sheriff's Association for two terms.
Protan was born in Logan County and grew up on Cabin Creek before he moved to Boone County in 1939.
He served in the Navy during World War II, where he took up an interest in boxing. Protan, known as the "Knockout King of WV" held two professional titles and had a record of 207 matches, 200 wins.
He worked as a coal miner after he was discharged from the Navy in 1946.
Protan worked his way up to become president of various coal miners unions. He left the mines in 1961 to pursue a career in politics, when he was elected Constable. He then ran for Boone County Sheriff in 1964. In addition to his three terms as sheriff, he served as the chairman of the Boone County Democratic Executive Committee for 38 years.
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones remembered Protan as a good-natured person who was friendly, regardless of any political differences they had.
"He was just a kind, gentle man, and was a real fixture of the Democratic party," Jones said.
Protan was also elected president of a UMW retirees' local that represents his former co-workers at a Whitesville area mine in the 1980s.
Protan made headlines in 1985 when he filed papers as a primary candidate for sheriff with a backdated envelope. According to Charleston Gazette reports, Protan pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months of probation and a $100 fine. He also had to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, which he was already doing because his grandson had leukemia at the time.
In 2011, the West Virginia Legislators dedicated Route 3 in Boone County as "John Protan Highway."
Visitation will be Monday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Sylvester Baptist Church in Sylvester, and the funeral will follow on Tuesday at noon at the church.
Reach Laura Haight at laura.haight@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @laurahaight_ on Twitter.