Jim Looker

James L. "Jim" Looker, age 79, of Fredericktown, was welcomed into heaven with open arms by his Lord and Savior, on Wednesday morning, August 27, 2014, at the Morrow County Hospital following a brief and unexpected illness.

Jim was born on November 20, 1934, in Mount Vernon, Ohio, the second of five children of the late Floyd and Burnice (Smith) Looker. He was raised in the Mount Vernon Children's Home until he was a freshman in high school, when he was taken in by Ronald and Bessie Shinaberry of Chesterville to help them on their family dairy farm. He would also graduate from Chester-Franklin High School in the class of 1955.

During high school, Jim fell for one of his classmates, Lela Sherman, who became his high school sweetheart. Shortly after graduation, Jim and Lela were married on April 1, 1956, at the Pulaskiville Community Bible Church. They cherished their 58 years of marriage and lovingly raised three children: Wayde, Phyllis and Mark.

Following school, Jim started his career with Seymour Whitney, a well-known self-employed brick layer, who taught him everything there was to know about masonry. After helping him for several years, Jim started his own brick laying company, Looker Masonry. Later he began teaching and serving as a guard at the Marion Correctional Institution (MCI). He taught masonry there and at Tri-Rivers Career Center in Marion for over 23 years, until his retirement in 1994.

Shortly after Jim's retirement, he and Lela started spending their winters in Silver Springs, Florida. While there, he enjoyed fishing and attending the Solid Rock Bible Church.

To say Jim was a man of deep faith would be an understatement. He lived a life of devotion to his Lord and Savior, always reading his Bible, and knowing it inside and out. He was a great Christian man, and was a member of the Harmony Baptist Church, and formerly was a member of the Pulaskiville Community Bible Church. For many years, he loved to serve as a site coach with Group Work Camps, volunteering with youth all over the US, spreading the word of the Lord and God's love.

With a love for the outdoors, Jim especially enjoyed hunting adventures with his sons and grandsons. He would hunt whatever was in season. He loved to fish, taking trips to Canada to cast a line with family and friends. Another of Jim's favorite pastimes was camping. For many years, he was a member of the "Weakenders Camping Club" with his friends /co-workers at MCI, travelling all over Ohio and the surrounding states.

A man of many talents, Jim could do anything he set his mind to. Being an artist is something he found great joy in. He especially enjoyed painting various scenes on everything from canvas to wooden saws and walking sticks.

Very ornery, Jim enjoyed a good joke or story, generating a laugh with family and friends.

Always there for his family, Jim loved helping them any way he could, especially enjoying a very close relationship with Wayde as they farmed together. Every April 1st he wanted to hurry home from Florida so he could help plant the farm fields and did not want to leave in the Fall until harvest was complete.

He also enjoyed giving his 4-legged friend, Missy, rides on his golf cart or walks in Florida. This gave him an excuse to visit with the neighbors who spoiled her with treats.

He will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Lela Looker; three children: Wayde (Liz) Looker, Phyllis (Steve George) Looker and Mark (Rebeka) Looker; 9 grandchildren: Heath (Erica) Looker, Kristen (Ryan) Pfleiderer, Derek (Bobi) Looker, and Wayde (fiancé Grace Bluck) Looker, Carla Looker, Evan (Bonita) Boggs, Zachary Looker, Autumn "Maddie" Looker, and Cynthia Looker; 13 great-grandchildren: Olivia and Olesia Looker, Braelyn, Briley, and Brogan Pfleiderer (and one more on the way), Hailey, Remington "R.J.", Jace Looker, Griffin and Leandra Gray, Kylee and Kenady Boggs, and Chloe Looker. He is also survived by three brothers: Eugene, Larry and Raymond Looker, a sister, Joretta (Tom)Taylor and numerous nieces and nephews.

Including his parents, Jim was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Janette.

His family will greet friends from 4 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2nd, at the Snyder Funeral Home, Craven Chapel, 67 N. Main St., Mount Gilead. Services honoring his life and celebrating his homecoming will also be held there at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, with Pastor Jason Martin officiating. Burial will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery in Chesterville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harmony Baptist Church, 5142 Co. Rd. 25, Marengo, OH 43334, or and Solid Rock Bible Church, 7570 SE 183rd Ave. Rd., Ocklawaha, FL 32179.

Snyder Funeral Homes of Mount Gilead are honored to have been chosen to serve Jim's family and your condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.