James Richard DiLauro

James Richard (“Jim”) DiLauro was born June 15, 1936, in Akron, Ohio, to Charles “Mim” DiLauro and Eileen Mae Boyes DiLauro. Along with his three brothers, Jack, Ronnie, and Donnie, the four DiLauro boys loved and excelled at baseball and many other sports.

In 1987, Jim was inducted into the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame, recognizing his accomplishments as captain of the 1954 All-City Team, two-time captain of Akron U’s team, and his twelve years in the AA league. He coached at Hower High for five years, at Akron U for one, and was President of the AA league for two years.

He went on to sell insurance with Shenandoah Life and to pursue his passion for acting, with roles at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., and the Portsmouth Theatre Company in Portsmouth, Virginia. In each new town, he found a local theatre company and used the arts to bring the community together, often acting and directing numerous productions each year.

He loved Dot’s Pretzels, butter pecan ice cream, and being Pop Pop. Many years were spent at the beach, fishing and listening to his stories. He never forgot how to work a room, even as he struggled with the impacts of dementia in his later years. Pop Pop will be missed by all.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Linda.

He is survived by his four children, Michael DiLauro, Chris Buffalo, David DiLauro, and Jaclyn Tarlton, and four stepdaughters, Heather Bell, Beth Dingus, Kathryn Diehl, and Jessica Wesche; his 22 grandchildren, Lauren Cole, Rachel Yannaccone, Devan Lind, Jordan DiLauro, Jennah Guzouskis, Virginia Tarlton, Benjamin Tarlton, Justin Bell, Jeremy Bell, Ashley Bolinsky, Adam Dingus, Aiden Dingus, Anderson Dingus, Brenden Franklin, Kaylee Taylor, Christopher Franklin, Ryan Diehl, Magan Diehl, Lily Diehl, Elle Wesche, William Wesche, Ava Wesche; and his many great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held later this year in Malvern, Ohio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, https://www.alz.org/