Jim is the son of the late Frank and Frances Law of Niles, OH. He was born August 8, 1937 in Youngstown, OH. Jim attended Niles-McKinley High School where he was a standout football and baseball player. He graduated from Ohio University, in Athens, OH, in 1959 with a BS in Journalism. He served in the United States Army from 1960 to 1963 having graduated from the Army Language School in 1961 with a fluency in Spanish.
Jim spent the majority of his adult life in Athens, GA after marrying Patti Emerson of Athens in 1964. He had a career in sales positions in the confectionary industry as well as worked on staff at UGA where he officially retired in 2007. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and the UGA Catholic Center. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Athens Council. Sports, particularly football and baseball, were near and dear to Jim. He could be found on football Saturdays for many years staffing the press gate at Sanford Stadium as part of his part time work for the UGA ticket office. He thoroughly enjoyed spending weekends at Lake Hartwell on his pontoon boat. Jim and Patti enjoyed travel as well and took many adventures through the US in their RV in addition to cruises and many trips abroad.
His wife Patti, sons, Patrick of Atlanta and Steven (Elizabeth) of Jefferson and two grandchildren, Katherine and Christopher Law of Jefferson, survive Jim.
The family would like to thank caregivers Evana Darby, Janice Faust, Mia Daniel and Melvin Daniel as well as the staff at St. Mary’s Highland Hills Memory Care for their care and support.
A gathering of family and friends will be held 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM, Friday, August 25, 2023, in Bernstein Funeral Home.
The funeral mass will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, August 26, 2023, in the Catholic Center of UGA with Father Brian McNavish officiating.
Burial with Military Honors will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery, followed by a reception in the Sexton’s House.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Catholic Center of UGA or St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Building Fund.
Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of funeral arrangements.
