James O'Rear Obituary

James R. "Jim" O'Rear

James R. O'Rear, 89, of Arlington, went to be with the Lord Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, at Blanchard Valley Hospital. He was the second child of the late Bernard F. and Ruth M. (Williamson) O'Rear, born May 5, 1935, in Stilesville, Indiana. He met Julianne J. (Jacobson) in Lafayette, Indiana, and they married Jan.,26, 1958, and she survives.

Also surviving are sons, Kevin L. (Paula) O'Rear and Michael R. O'Rear, both of Findlay, Brent A. (Amy) O'Rear of Arlington and Bruce S. O'Rear of Jenera; daughters, Linda S. (Jeff) Cole of Mount Blanchard, Myra (Jamie Pilcher) VanAtta of Vanlue and Jennifer (Joe) Kosar of Olmsted Falls. Jim is also survived by 16 grandchildren, Jessica (Jon) Long, Erica (David) Feller, Brett (Madi) O'Rear, Melisa (Eric) Bennion, Erin (Devan) Steward and John Cole, Michelle (Chris) Kline, Justin (Celeste) VanAtta, Jared (Meghan) Vanatta, Courtney (Scott) Shrider, Ashley, Stephen and Brandon O'Rear, Evan O'Rear, Mikayla and Kylee Kosar.

Brothers, Gerald Wayne and Norman L. O'Rear of Indianapolis, Indiana; and granddaughter, Danielle VanAtta preceded Jim in death.

Jim was a 1953 graduate of Noblesville High School in Indiana, where he was very active in several organizations. He entered Purdue University and graduated with a bachelor's of science degree in education. He received a Master of Science in Education Administration with a principal certificate from Dayton University and had additional studies at Bowling Green and Toledo Universities.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and was an instructor at Fort Lenard Wood, Missouri, for one and a half years.

For 12 years, Jim was with J.C. Penney Co. Management program. He and his family were located in Crawfordsville, Indiana,Terra Haute, Indiana, Waterloo, Iowa and Albert Lea, Minnesota.

Jim and his wife owned and operated Arlington Hardware Inc. He retired from Kalida High School after 20 years as a classroom teacher.

For 30 years, he kept the scorebook for Arlington High School Boys Basketball team and was the PA announcer for Arlington Football team. For 21 years he served on Arlington Planning Commission and Arlington Zoning Board.

Jim attended Calvary Baptist Church and served the Lord. He enjoyed his cabinet shop and yellow perch fishing on Lake Erie.

Visitation for family and friends will be from 10-12 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue, Findlay. Funeral service will begin immediately following the visitation at noon and will be officiated by Gordon Dickson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials contributions may be shared with Calvary Baptist Church, 2000 Broad Avenue, Findlay, Ohio 45840

Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com