Dr. Jeffrey Allan Stead, 77, of Shepherdstown, W.Va., died May 8, 2024 at Inova Fairfax Hospital, Falls Church, Va. Born in Allentown, he was the son of the late Allan and Ruth Judy (Matthews) Stead.

He was stationed in Panama as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. While serving he was recruited to do field research in geology for the Smithsonian Institution on Malpelo Island, off Columbia.

He graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. However, a career in medicine strongly called and he earned his medical degree from The Hahnemann School of Medicine, Philadelphia. He served his residency at the Medical College of Georgia and returned to Hahnemann to complete it.

For 25 years he worked as a pathologist at Mon General Hospital, later Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, W.Va. He was a professor at the Western Virginia University School of Medicine. In 2006, he became head of pathology in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia and relocated to Shepherdstown, W.Va., two years later.

He was an avid bridge player, a lover of fine wine and an amateur geologist. In retirement, his renewed passion for bridge had him travel the eastern United States. for tournaments and earn the title of Life Master.

He is survived by his husband, Edward ‘Ted” Walton, of Shepherdstown, W.Va. Although only married since 2015, they shared their lives for more than 50 years. He is also survived by sisters, Pamela Jones, of Macungie, Susan, of Clearwater, Fla. and Ann Sterner, of Safety Harbor, Fla.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later date in Shepherdstown’s Trinity Church. Arrangements were made by the Melvin T. Strider Colonial Funeral Home, Ranson, W.Va.