Jim was born on May 13, 1946, in Mansfield, Ohio, to the late Elmer Lewis and Viva “Sally” Anola (Herman) Merchant. He graduated from Lucas High School with the Class of 1965. James joined the US Army serving as a Supply Specialist with a Signal Unit at Fort Clayton in the Panama Canal zone during the Vietnam War. After his honorable discharge, he worked at Tappan Company, Landoll Publishing, and various local manufacturing establishments before finally enjoying retirement.
Jim remained active throughout his life and was a sports enthusiast. He started the semi-pro football team, “The Travelers”, in Lucas. Along with his brother, Jack, they maintained the Wayside Inn softball fields for many years. He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan and enjoyed watching them at swim meets and soccer matches. James had a passion for golf, even managing to bag a hole-in-one. He enjoyed his daily morning coffee conversations with the “Rainbow Crew”.
He loved the outdoors and always had a tractor/mower repair project waiting on him. Jim enjoyed searching for arrowheads and mushrooms and made quite a few quality discoveries along the way. He enjoyed military history, the Old West and following all the Ohio sports teams. When the weather was uncooperative, he enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles.
Jim had a dry wit and an answer for everything. He made friends easily and was well known throughout the Lucas area. He was everyone’s “big brother” and willingly helped others over himself. He will long be remembered for his giving nature, fun-loving personality and dedication to his family and friends.
James is survived by a daughter, Lori (Gordon) Mahn; son, David Merchant; grandchildren, Alaina (Noah) Orr, Brenna Mahn, and Ethan (Debbie) Mahn; great-grandchild, Theo Orr; sister-in-law, Pat Merchant; nephew, Mark Merchant; and great-nephew, Bobby Merchant.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jack Merchant; half-sister, Louise Talaga; and nephews, Mike Merchant and Greg McKinley.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Mansfield, 98 S. Diamond St. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 PM. Jim will be laid to rest in Greenlawn Union Cemetery in Perrysville with military honors presented by the Richland County Joint Veteran Burial Squad. If so desired, memorial contributions may be made in care of the family to help defray funeral costs.
