James William Hunter

James Hunter Obituary James William Hunter was born in Delaware, Ohio on December 22, 1925 the youngest of six children to John and Ethel Hunter. His five siblings proceeded him in death. James departed this life on December 5, 2019 following an extended illness. James grew up in Lima, Ohio where his family owned a farm and would sell vegetables for a living. It was there on the farm that young James learned a strong and consistent work ethic. James graduated from Shawnee High School (1943) in Lima. “Jim” enrolled at Wilberforce University. After a year in college he went off to serve in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946. After serving Uncle Sam, Jim returned to Wilberforce, where he was a chemistry major and played on the football team. He graduated in 1951. In 1953 he moved to Cleveland to take a position as a chemist for General Electric. In July of 1954 Jim would marry Ruth Stroud. To this union two sons were born: James Allen and David William. Jim and Ruth were an inseparable pair, infatuated with each other and their family for more than 59 years of marriage until her passing in 2013. Jim worked for General Electric as a chemist, with emphasis in specialty lamp chemicals. Jim would continue with GE in chemical engineering for more than thirty-five years until his retirement. Jim served in numerous service and community leadership roles over the years, too many to list. A few include serving as the head of the Sunday School Department at Lee Road Baptist Church during the 60’s. He was an active and key member in the campaign of Carl B. Stokes, who in 1967 became the first African American mayor of a major city in the United States. Of significance, he served as Commissioner, Manager, and Coach of a youth baseball league in Cleveland for more than fifteen years. He impacted the lives, directly and indirectly of literally thousands of young men. Jim was an active Bridge player for more than sixty-five years. Prior to playing in the American Bridge Association (ABA), he was in the American Contract Bridge League (ACBL) for many years. In fact, he was the first African American to integrate the Cleveland chapter of the ACBL. For the past 30 plus years, he was an active, dedicated and enthusiastic participant in the ABA. James’ memory will be cherished by his sons, James of Columbus, OH and David (Carolyn) of Hampton, VA along with his two grandchildren Makayla Ruth and David William Hunter II, along with a host of treasured relatives and friends. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James William Hunter, please visit our floral store. Read More

James William Hunter

December 22, 1925 - December 5, 2019