James D. Mathys

The son of Edward and Barbara (Zollinger) Mathys, he was born at “The Fountain” in Sterling, Ohio, formerly a red-brick one-room schoolhouse, the seventh of eleven children. He graduated from Norwayne High School where he was Senior Class President, played football, acted in the theater, and placed in the state contest for speech and debate.

Drafted into the U.S. Army, JD achieved the rank of Sergeant. He served two tours of duty, equaling 24 months of service, stationed in Thailand and Vietnam.

Following his time in the Army he graduated from The Ohio State University and the College of Wooster. While at the College of Wooster he starred as Jupiter in the play Amphitryon 38 by Jean Giraudoux. He earned a Master’s Degree in Speech & Hearing Therapy from Kent State University.

He owned and operated Mathys Construction, Inc., a masonry business, building homes and condominiums across northeast Ohio.

A collector of nicknames, JD was also known as “Little Jimmy,” “Jude’s Dude,” “Cimmit,” “Jeeves,” “Scruffy,” “Papa,” and “Grandpa.” He was a brown belt in judo, a marathoner, cyclist, and vegetable gardener. JD had enough German language skills to bargain for a motorcycle. He hated the water and loved to dig in the dirt. He enjoyed Euchre and Pinochle.

Jim was a humorist, storyteller, and generous friend. He had a story for every situation and a friend everywhere he went. He loved family reunions and during retirement spent much of his time in reminiscence and nostalgia with family, friends, and neighbors.

His travels included a honeymoon in Europe by motorcycle, Caribbean islands, Mexico, Costa Rica, Alaska, Vancouver, the Canadian wilderness, France, Berlin, England, Iceland, Hong Kong, Macau, and all across the continental United States.

JD was often a successful problem-solver. As a soldier, he “sold his tonsils for two cubes of cement” to build sidewalks. Later he helped end a high school teachers’ strike and got noise-cancelling barriers approved for his neighborhood.

Older siblings Edna, Phil, and Bob have already passed away. Jim is survived by siblings John, Art, Betty, Fred, Russ, Mae, and Blanche.

Judy, 77, lives in Melbourne, Florida. His son Stephan and grandchildren Paige, Aaron, Faith, and Zane reside in the St. Louis, Missouri area. His son and daughter-in law Ted and Rachel and granddaughter Lucy also live in St. Louis.

Plans for a memorial service are in progress. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the charity of your choice.