Haunty, James
1942 - 2020
James George Haunty (Jim) passed away on September 30, 2020. He was born on February 23, 1942 in Dayton, Ohio to parents, Katherine Erna Haunty and John Fulmer Haunty, now deceased. He is also preceded in death by daughter-in-law, Nancy Haunty. Jim is survived by his wife, Beverly; sons, John (Jen), and James (Molly) of Hinsdale, Ill; daughter, Katherine (Grant Jackson) of Nashville, TN; stepson, Gregory Ruff (Adele) of Dublin, Ohio; stepdaughter, Jayna D'Herte (David) of Upper Arlington, Ohio, and brother, John (Jack) Haunty (Kathleen) of Powell, Ohio. Also surviving Jim are 16 grandchildren who affectionately refer to him as "Papa". Jim attended Bexley High School and Purdue University, where he studied Civil Engineering and was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. Upon graduation, he received a commission in the US Navy Reserves and served primarily in the Mediterranean. His tenure with the Navy earned him the rank of Lt. Commander USNR, but more importantly, this early experience kindled Jim's passion for world-travel and love affair with naval history. Driven by a strong and steady work ethic, Jim's career was an important aspect of his life, and he approached it with the same meticulous care he gave to his flowers and lawn. Entirely spent in the electric energy industry, Jim rose in the ranks of management positions at Columbus and Southern Electric and AEP, ultimately serving as AEP's 11 state system Vice President over Substation and Transmission, Engineering and Construction. After retiring at the end of 2005, Jim actively continued to impart his industry knowledge and expertise, serving as the Chairman of the Board for EC Source Services and on various other advisory board positions in the utility industry. He fully retired as a Director for Mastec in 2017 at the age of 75.
Jim's faith was also very important to his life. He was an active member of North Broadway United Methodist Church where he volunteered by mowing the lawn, serving as greeter on Sunday mornings, and most importantly to Jim, was a mentor in a prison ministry, where he visited incarcerated men every week over the past five years. His priority was putting others before himself, and he lived this out in every aspect of his life. Mostly so, with his family. Jim adored coaching his kid's sports teams and being an active member of the Cardinal Boosters and served as president one year in his family's early years. As his children grew, he lived vicariously through them and their children. His love for his family was boundless. Jim relished living simply. Among his greatest loves were, painting, gardening, preparing wonderful meals and sharing pictures of the moments he and Beverly enjoyed them, trips to NYC, a scotch by the fire, reading and most of all his family— his world revolved around time spent with his family. They will miss him for his gentle, humble nature, his generous spirit, his tender-heartedness; and always endear him for his unwavering faith that the Cleveland Indians will win the World Series and the Browns will win the Super Bowl. Although the memorial service for Jim will be private, you are invited to watch his service by livestream by visiting the North Broadway United Methodist Church website at www.north-broadway.org. and click on Attend a Service, at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 9, 2020. Family has entrusted SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL with arrangements. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to sign Jim's online guestbook or to share a special memory.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch from Oct. 3 to Oct. 5, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for James Haunty

Sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.

17 Entries

David Alan Haunty

May 22, 2025

Although we never personally knew your side of the Haunty family, (the Ohio Hauntys) the Pennsylvania Hauntys send our condolences!

Jeff Jones

September 27, 2022

Jim was a good man and great father, husband and friend. The best of the best and the way he lived his life was a testimony to that.

Dan Burmeister

January 10, 2021

Jim was a world class person and a pleasure to know. He was kind, smart and very humble. He was one of my all time favorite business contacts and he became a very close friend. Tonight I learned of his passing and I was shocked because he was always so vibrant and energized. He treasured his family and was a loyal business partner. I take the liberty of calling him a business mentor and I will always take great joy in calling him my friend. His legacy will be multi dimensional, but he cherished his family and we spoke often of the great joy his family brought him. He was a proud husband, father and grandfather.

I respect every aspect of his life. In business he was a visionary who worked tirelessly to make sure AEP was always on the lead edge of new technology. His co-workers adored him and his vendors knew he was kind, tough but very fair. He had a natural inclination of always trying to push the envelope to be a technology leader and he considered every option with great diligence and professionalism.

I honestly can’t think of anyone I have met in the business world that was so open to all alternatives. Quite simply, he was a joy to work with! I learned from him every time I met with him!

My entire family met him and each of them had a common summary of their thoughts on Jim. They all said, “wow, Dan that man is amazing! Why is he so kind to you?” I would laugh and say, “I don’t know why, but I sure am blessed to be his friend!”

I will miss our talks and our commaraderie. RIP Jim, you are truly one of the greatest men I have ever met. I will miss you very much, but I also know how blessed I am to have known you. You will live on everytime I think, what would Jim do? And I do that all the time. To have you as a friend and mentor is truly one of the great honors of my life.

Carrie Myers

October 12, 2020

Dear Family,

I am so very sad about Jim's passing. He was the best person I ever worked for. He was such a loving and wonderful man. I think of him often. He was my friend. A few years ago my father passed away. Never in mind did I think Jim would show up at the grave side service, but he did. He was also pallbearer as we were short one person. I have never been so grateful in my life. He holds such a special place in my heart. I am sending my thoughts and prayers to you all. JIM - Go Rest High on that Mountain.

Linda Gossman

Planted Trees

Chalmers-Victor

October 8, 2020

I never got to meet him in life and yet fervently prayed, on the night of his passing I was moved with emotions and reminded of our collective mortality. The following poem immortalizes his memories on my Facebook page

Tonight will always be different
A night when another light was extinguished
As the darkness of night tonight gathers around
My heart in bereavement hurts as it bleeds
I think of the prayers that I never said for another
That if I had a chance tomorrow I would have
And tonight I think of tomorrow's prayers
What they would have meant
I am reminded of my own frailty
My immortality and that of the departed
The memories half formed and unsaid
The connection never in this life made
Tonight, like those other dark nights
My heart laments with hope over passion
Where pain once consumed peace prevails
In the serenity of the quiet I hear the echoes
I consider my life and that of others
As the moon climbs and glides high
In the darkest night hour to the Cross I look
There where hope abides and grace endures
Into your hands, Lord, my soiled soul I commend
And that life that now transcended temporal space
Lord with Thee may it in your presence abide
Until the day you shall quicken mortality
Dearly departed, I could say thee I knew
For thine I do know and in prayers hold

Tom Watkins

October 5, 2020

Jim and I shared forty years of experiences working together at CSOE/AEP. We began as Temporary Laborers on my uncle's CSOE substation construction crew and finished up as members of senior management of AEP's Transmission organization. During that period we shared the challenges associated with two acquisitions, a half dozen major company reorganizations, a major labor stoppage, hundreds of staff meetings and training sessions and numerous personnel issues. But we also shared Waterworks' Sessions, Saturday Morning golf outings, Lake Erie walleye fishing trips, telling the activities of our children and grandchildren, weddings and funerals. Needless-to-say, Jim was one of my best friends. He was someone that was able to easily blend the humorous and serious sides of work; someone would could be trusted to carry out his commitments; and someone who could give honest opinions and input to issues. He was a team player who could be counted on to take the initiative and then assume the responsibility associated with his actions. Jim and I maintained contacts during our retirement - although not nearly enough as time has proven. I already miss knowing he is there to share memories of of the most interesting periods of my life.
Tom Watkins

Cheryl Vogel

October 5, 2020

I am so sorry for your loss. I met Jim in 5th grade and graduated in the class o 1960. I remember him as a nice guy, May his memory always be a blessing and the family find comfort in a life well lived.

Pete Splawnyk

October 5, 2020

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Nancy D Edwards

October 5, 2020

As a current neighbor, to us Jim and Bronx were the great pair who walked by everyday and let my tiny grandchildren pet the massive dog.

Jim was such a nice person to us. Thank you so much for such a wonderful obituary - WHAT a FULL life! You must be so proud of his legacy.

Lots of prayers, Dave and Nancy Edwards

David Anderson

October 5, 2020

I will always remember the incredible adventures I shared with Jim in our multiple trips to Turkey and throughout China. Jim was always a large presence in our group of friends and I will miss his humor and his stories immensely. Rest in peace my friend...

David Anderson

Sent Flowers

Jeffrey Jones

Planted Trees

Debbie Jones

Planted Trees

cindy briggs

October 4, 2020

I feel so, so sad!! My sincere sympathy to you and your whole family, Beverly. He was my first boss when I came down from Canton in 1993, and you really did have to love the guy; he made me mad and he made me laugh! Such a huge, huge heart. And a really great friend!!

Melvin Linares

October 4, 2020

For the lord him self shall descend from heaven with a shout,with the voice of archangel and with the trump of God and the dead in Christ shall rise first....and so shall we ever be with the lord"
Thessalonians 4:16,17. :( ...............................

Gayle Griffith

October 3, 2020

I send my love and prayers to all the Haunty Family on the passing of a man I loved and admired. Jim and Beverly made their way to my patio for a visit immediately upon learning of the passing of my husband, Donn. Jim brought pictures of their (grown men's) basketball team and entertained us with stories of his friendship and memories with Donn. We love that one of the first experiences of their young friendship was that together they dug ditches for AEP, completing in one week the work that their supervisors had planned for the entire summer. They shared a wonderful fraternity experience in Sigma Chi at Purdue University, and while busy during their adult years, there have been many wonderful get-togethers. Jim's loyalty as a friend has always been cherished. He will be dearly missed, but I love the thought that Jim and Donn have certainly had a reunion in recent days. Prayers and love go out to all the Hauntys.

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