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James Babcock Obituary
James "Jim" Way Babcock, age 87, passed away Tuesday June 25th, 2024 at Hospice of Dayton after a 5 year battle with prostate cancer. He was surrounded by his family and passed away peacefully with much love and tears flooding his room. He was born March 25th, 1937 in Sidney, Ohio to the late George and Ethel (Moore) Babcock.
Jim was a graduate of Sidney High School class of 1955 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy for 4 years. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in journalism from The Ohio State University in 1963 and later his Master's Degree in Science. After graduation, Jim was hired by the Willoughby News Herald (Willoughby, Ohio) where he began his newspaper career. He left Willoughby in 1967 to continue his career with the Journal Herald and continued as a writer for the Dayton Daily News when the two papers merged. He retired from the Dayton Daily News in May 2004.
Jim's background and love of science made him a distinguished and highly credible environmental writer, respected not only by his peers, but by the local scientific community. He volunteered with Five Rivers MetroParks after retirement to spread his knowledge and love of the natural world and environmental studies to the local community. He was an avid runner and was known for recruiting his newspaper friends for a lunchtime run. He competed in marathons and numerous organized runs. Many of his other loves included: woodworking, biking, hiking, Tennessee trips, reading, a debate and a drink or two, the City of Dayton and his family. Jim was a life-long learner and environmentalist. He was a kind, loving, intelligent and inventive man with a great sense of humor.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Grieves. He is survived by the love of his life, Charlotte, who has been by his side for 52+ years; daughters, Lisa (Mark) Jackson and Kaslin Babcock; son, Darius (Amber) Babcock; sister, Barbara Walsh; and close nephew, Eric (Cathy) Grieves and numerous nieces and nephews; grandsons, Dana and Ben Jackson, Harrison Rousculp, Grayvin and Dade Babcock. Pop-Pop loved you all so very much.
Per Jim's request, there will be a private ceremony with immediate family only. The family would like to express extended gratitude to his doctors during his battle with cancer and to Hospice of Dayton for their dedicated and loving care. Donations can be made in his memory to Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave, Dayton, OH 45420 and/or to Five Rivers MetroParks Foundation, 409 E. Monument Ave, Third Floor, Dayton, OH 45402 or online.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Babcock
Bill Worth
December 3, 2025
I was a college classmate of Jim; we graduated together in 1963. Jim was older than I, because he spent time in the military before enrolling at Ohio State's Journalism school.
Jim helped me get my first newspaper job, as he was a journalist for The (Dayton) Journal Herald and informed me the JH was looking for an education writer. He knew I had a Master's degree in Journalism and Education and would be a good fit for the opening.
When he called me, I was working in Chillicothe, Ohio, in a dead-end PR job. The moment he told me about the JH opening, I applied. And was hired. That was in 1967, and I worked there as a reporter, assistant city editor, City Editor and Managing Editor until I left for Maui, where Nancy and I bought The Lahaina News, a sad-sack, twice-a-month publication we quickly turned into a highly successful weekly.
At the JH, I edited much of Jim's copy, including a long, complicated series called "People-Shed," that was a highlight of Jim's career up to that time.
Jim really knew his stuff as a science writer/reporter. More than that, he turned out to be a very good friend.
I still miss him.
Much aloha to Jim, Charlotte, and the rest of his family.
Bill Worth
Bill Worth
July 28, 2024
Jim and I met each other in Journalism School at Ohio State. We graduated together in 1963 and again in 1965, when we both received master's degrees. Jim went on to become a premier science writer for the Journal Herald in Dayton (and later, for the Dayton Daily News when the Dayton newspapers merged). I sort of owe my Dayton newspaper career to Jim, as he called me to let me know The Journal Herald was looking for an education writer. (His master's was in science writing; mine was in education writing.) I copy-edited many of Jim's finest pieces -- and didn't have to work too hard at it, actually. Our paths diverged when I left Dayton to own and operate a weekly newspaper in Lahaina, Maui, but I always fondly remember his contribution to Dayton journalism -- and his fateful phone call to me, telling me The Journal Herald education beat was open.
Much aloha to you and your family, Jim.
A Hui Hou.
Ann Skolik
July 22, 2024
I have always been proud to Know Jimmy as a cousin. I read his newpaper articles and followed them. I was so blessed to reunite with him in the summer and truly admire Charlotte for her faithful loving and care. Ann Babcock Skolik
Norman stein
July 21, 2024
I was one of Jim´s noontime running group. We both worked at the paper. Jim in the newsroom and I worked in the production side. Being able to get a noontime run in was often an educational experience as he would explain a project he was working on.
Andrea and I send out deepest condolences.
Norman and Andrea Stein
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Rita Strohl Kendall
July 13, 2024
Deepest Sympathy to the Babcock Family. Jim will be missed by many including his old classmates from SHS 1955. May he rest in peace.
Dave
July 11, 2024
So long tp my good running buddy. Also a very good friend and reporter.
Wooly
Kaslin (Kaz Marazz)
July 9, 2024
My Dad instilled everything in me that became the core of who I am and the foundation that I pass onto my son. Because of him, I can find poetry in the breeze, romance in a storm, adventure under any footstep. He showed me that it takes a unique type of intelligence to be able to guide and backup a debate or important topic WHILE still being able to be silly and witty and hold the attention of a room. He taught me to slow down, work with my hands, work with people and that the best way to live and understand this life is to be part of the entire human aspect; celebrate and thrive in all things beautiful, and notice when they are not so the beauty stands out. And he also taught me that we all change, we are ever evolving. He chose to continuously evolve into the best version of himself and I choose to do the same. If you can evolve and love and slow down and truly appreciate the beauty that this world holds like he did, then you will have lived your life to it's full potential and understand the secrets to the universe, like he did. Science teaches us that energy never stops, and neither will he. I love you, Daddy, forever.
Marti
July 6, 2024
Fellow Buckeye and J-School friend, Jim was a "best man" and shared good times during Dayton newspaper days and beyond, with our little girls. His smile was infectious, his humor, quiet. It seems he built on those early experiences and went on to have a bountiful life surrounded by loved ones. Rest now, Jim. --30--
Jean Mayo Campbell
July 6, 2024
To Charlotte, Darius and Kaslin and the rest of Jim´s family I want to extend my heartfelt sympathy for your great loss. I never had the privilege to meet Jim, but I am sure we would have been friends. You are so very blessed to have him for your husband, Charlotte. Darius and Kaslin to have a great dad like Jim, you´ve had the very best. I have been a friend of his loving wife, Charlotte, for 66 years, and while we haven´t seen one another in many years, our hearts are forever joined in friendship, so I hurt so much for you and your family. No words can ease your pain. I have you in my prayers every single day. He is with God now and in no pain and for that you are grateful I´m sure.
Margaret Walsh
July 5, 2024
I love you Jim. You were a huge influence on me growing up, and my favorite uncle of all. You will be missed.
Lisa
July 5, 2024
My father´s love of nature, science, music and literature plays an ongoing influence in everything I do. The Dayton Natural History Museum Lore classes and our many camping trips are some of my fondest memories of time with him. Love you always Dad! Lisa
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