CHARLESTON — West Virginia Del. Larry Kump, a Berkeley County Republican and longtime public servant, has died at age 78 following a recent hospitalization during the legislative session.
Kump (R-Berkeley, 94) had been absent from the House of Delegates in recent weeks. Lawmakers acknowledged his condition publicly when a prayer was offered on the House floor Wednesday, noting he was in the hospital and asking for comfort and healing.
Kump devoted much of his life to public service, both inside and outside the Capitol. A retired public administrator, arbitrator, mediator and criminal justice professional, his career included work as a stress management counselor, and employee advocate and trainer. He often described public service as his calling to help fellow West Virginians maintain their quality of life.
He served in the West Virginia House of Delegates representing Berkeley and Morgan counties from 2010 to 2015 and again from 2018 to 2020. In office, he emphasized protecting personal freedoms and limiting federal overreach, describing himself as a “battle-tested and liberty minded Christian conservative.” He frequently said his guiding principle was “principles over politics.”
During his time in the 100-member House, Kump said more than 75 of his legislative proposals received co-sponsors. He worked to build relationships across party lines, saying he maintained cordial and respectful working relationships even with lawmakers whose political philosophies differed from his own.
A resident of the Falling Waters community for more than 30 years, Kump was active in numerous civic and charitable organizations, including the Farm Bureau, the Falling Waters Battlefield Association, Friends of North Berkeley Library, the West Virginia Citizens Defense League, the National Rifle Association, and West Virginians for Life.
Kump often spoke proudly of his family. He was devoted to his wife, Cheryl, and was the father of 13 children, both biological and adopted.
In seeking public office, Kump once said it would be an “honor and privilege” to serve as a citizen legislator, a role he carried throughout his years in Charleston.