James Orlando Basford, 80, resident of Wooster, OH. And Bonita Beach, FL., passed on January 8th, 2012.
He was born in Akron, OH on April 17th, 1931, the son of Napoleon Orlando and Hazel Fernsner Basford.
Jim grew up in Akron, Ohio, and graduated from Buchtel High School. He then earned a B.A.degree in Accounting from Kent State University.
In his professional life, Jim?s career took numerous turns. After starting in the furniture business in 1961 he moved to the corrugated box business in sales for Crown Zellerbach in Columbus, OH in 1964. He moved to Wooster, OH in 1974 as VP of Sales for Buckeye Container where he became President and CEO in 1978. Under Jim?s leadership Buckeye grew to four plants in four states and employed over 300 people.
Jim served on the Board of Directors of Peoples Federal Bank, Wooster Chamber of Commerce, United Telephone Co., Wayne County Economic Development Council, Wayne County National Bank, PahaQue Wilderness, Inc., and Heritage Packaging, Inc.
During his life Jim also served a vice-chairman of the Wooster United Way, was named a Paul Harris Fellow in 1991 through the Wooster Rotary Club, served as both V.P. and President of Boys Village, and in 1999 served as Chairman of Fund Raising for OARDC, and was awarded the Gerlach Award by Ohio State University for his efforts. Jim also served as Chairman of the Fund Raising Committee for Wooster Community Hospital, which raised funds to build the Neo-Natal Unit and Emergency Ward in 1995.
Jim also served as a trustee for Lord Of Life Lutheran Church in Worthington, OH from 1969-1974, and was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Wooster, OH.
Jim?s interests were many. He enjoyed golfing, boating, reading, model railroading, and military history to name a few. But nothing made him happier than the time he spent with his family.
Jim served in the United States Air Force reserve from 1947-1950, and then served in the regular Air Force in the Korean War, from 1950-1954. Jim was very proud of his military service to his country
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Mary Basford of Wooster, OH, his son Jeffrey of San Diego, CA; son Gregory of Bloomington, IL; and daughter Lisa Cullity of Colorado Springs, CO
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He is also survived by 7 grandchildren, Breanna Cullity, Ian Cullity and Bethany Cullity of CO, Brandon Basford and Erika Basford of IL, Jacob Basford and Abigayle Basford of CA, all for whom his memory will serve as a guiding light throughout their lives.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, January 11, 2012 from 5-8:00 p.m. at the McIntire, Davis & Greene Funeral Home, 216 E. Larwill St., Wooster.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. the Zion Lutheran Church, 301 N. Market St., Wooster with the Rev. Dr. Alan E. Nathan officiating. Burial will follow in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Akron.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to Village Network (Boys Village), PO Box 518, Smithville, OH 44677.
Memorial Contributions
Hospice & Palliative Care of Greater Wayne Co., 2525 Back Orrville Rd., Wooster, OH 44691 or to Village Network (Boys Village), PO Box 518, Smithville, OH 44677
Service
Thursday, January 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the Zion Lutheran Church
Visitation
Wednesday evening from 5-8:00 p.m. at the Funeral Home
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