James Oblinger

1923 - 2017

Mr. James T Oblinger, 94, of Adamstown, passed away on December 23, 2017 in Frederick, MD. Born on August 14, 1923 to Leroy and Harriet Oblinger in Rossford, Ohio; he was the husband of the late Dorothy Cochrane Oblinger to whom he was married for 61 years. He is survived by his 5 children James Oblinger, Jr. (Cathleen) of Tiverton, RI; Callie Oblinger (Jerad Bales) of Arlington, MA; John Oblinger (Carmen) of Thousand Oaks, CA; Hilary Fredette (Kevin) of Morgantown, WV; and Nancy Nash (Bob) of Fox River Grove, IL; and 8 grandchildren Kirsten, Robyn, Rebecca, Allison, Emma, Kevin, Meghan, and James and 3 great-grandchildren Noah, Daisy, and Henry.

Jim grew up in Eagle Point and Perrysburg, Ohio with his sisters, the late Ruth Oblinger and the late Florence Winzeler. He graduated from Salisbury Academy, then received a BEE from Yale University where he met his wife Dorothy, a native of New Haven, CT. They were married in New Haven on July 10, 1948. Jim was commissioned in the U S. Navy and served in WWII and the Korean War, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander. Jim's career as a radar engineer in the defense industry took the family to State College, PA; Wayland, MA; and Thousand Oaks, CA. In 2002, after 25 years enjoying the mild California climate and outdoor adventures in the west, Jim and Dorothy moved to Adamstown, MD to be closer to family.

Jim is remembered for his unflagging humor, sense of adventure, love of life, and his care for others. He loved to spend time with his children and later, his grandchildren - especially at the beach. He and Dorothy both loved the ocean and spent many summers on Cape Cod, the Southern California coast, and more recently, at Sunset Beach, NC, where he enjoyed bodysurfing well into his 80's.

Jim was an active community member wherever he lived. He volunteered at the election polls, delivered for Meals on Wheels for almost 20 years, and used his amazing ability to fix everything for family, friends, and as a docent at the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Thousand Oaks, CA. Jim remained active at Buckingham's Choice, volunteering to serve on multiple resident committees and lending a hand where needed.

A memorial service will be held on January 20, 2017 at 11 AM at Buckingham's Choice, 3200 Baker Circle, Adamstown, MD. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim's honor may be made to the Conejo Valley Historical Society, 51 S. Ventu Park, Newbury Park, CA 91320-please write "Stagecoach Inn Museum" in the memo line, or to Frederick County Hospice, 516 Trail Ave., P.O. Box 1799, Frederick, MD 21702 http://www.hospiceoffrederick.org/donate. Arrangements are by Stauffer Funeral Home, Frederick. Online condolences may be expressed at staufferfuneralhome.com