James R. O'Rear

James R. O’Rear, 89, of Arlington, Ohio went to be with the Lord on

December 8, 2024 At the Blanchard Valley Hospital. He was the second

child of the late Bernard F. and Ruth M. (Williamson) O’Rear, born on

May 5, 1935, in Stilesville, Indiana. He met Julianne J. (Jacobson) in

Lafayette, Indiana and they married January 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, 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, Ohio. 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, Indiana High School where he was very active in

several organizations. He entered and graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree of

Education from Purdue University. 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 for one and half years was an instructor at Fort Lenard Wood, Missouri.

For 12 years Jim was with the 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 score book for the Arlington High School Boys Basketball team and

for 30 years he was the PA announcer for the Arlington Football team. For 21 years he

served on the 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 10:00am to 12:00pm, Thursday, December 12,

2024 at Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home, 500 Lima Avenue, Findlay. The funeral service

will begin immediately following the visitation at 12:00pm 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

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