James E Daley

James E. Daley, 74, passed away peacefully November 9, 2025. He was born May 30,1951, in Lima, Ohio to the late Terry and Evelyn Daley. He was a graduate of Lima Central Catholic High School and received his B.S and MBA from OSU. As a Buckeye, Jim was a student representative on the Athletic Council. As a professional Jim began his career in the stock market as a broker for E.F.Hutton, served as public relations director on C.O.T.A and finally retired to own and manage ninety-five apartments while in Columbus during football season, in St. Petersburg during the winter season, and to be decided the rest of the year.

His life was full and productive not only to himself but for others. He inherited from his mother, Evelyn, a special sensitivity that she showed to all her children, inherited from her mother, Julia. So from family and friends to a myriad of organizations, Jim felt not participation but contribution; if he could, he would. And so with his family, with Terry, Buckeye success was never complete without an addition to his wardrobe from Jim, with Phyllis, his real estate acumen flourished with sweet deals, with Mark, support in his success in varied positions in insurance.

To Jim, monopoly was not just a game but a game plan. Jim was destined for success. In junior high he joined J. A., banked the profits from sales of stock, sailed through Lima Central Catholic HS, and used the proceeds from his stock sales to help bankroll his first year at OSU Lima; and then marched down the field to campus to his two degrees. Success in the stock market awaited; after a sterling stint at one firm, he entered the portal to another taking his clients in one hand and collecting his bonus in the other. In time Jim would direct with good friend Bob, in LCC development and fundraising, future largesse into a sizable gift to benefit students.

Jim took his organizations seriously. He didn’t simply reside in German Village; he served on the board of trustees from 1985 to 1992 including several years as president. Once to accelerate the city’s repair of the brick streets in disrepair, he organized several officers and board members as well as the media to record planting a tree, in one of the potholes. Repairs were made. He proudly shared that his home was on the home and garden tour. Appointed by the mayor to the board at Central Ohio Transportation Authority after retiring as the public relations director, he often returned from Florida for board meetings. Along with his cousin Steve, he hosted numerous political fundraisers when he moved from the Village to a spacious ranch house overlooking the Scioto River on sprawling grounds. Visiting Jim’s was like going on a vacation and numerous friends and family enjoyed gatherings on his deck. One such evening Jim and his brothers were enjoying fine wine and conversation, less the wine than the conversation. Jim made a signature comment: out of nowhere he said,”I want to set up a scholarship at my high school for… just a good guy.” This was not the attention getter or grabber, but the person that you could count on. That was Jim! John Milton once said, “They also serve who stand and wait.” Not one to wait, Jim took matters into his own hands: initiating his mother’s move into his home after her stroke and supporting other family members in ways too personal to make public.

Jim will assuredly be missed; a good guy always is.

James Daley is survived by brother Terry Daley, sister Phyllis Hamilton (Tom), brother Mark Daley (Cindy), nieces Megan Patton (Joe), Olivia Daley, Amanda Harper (James), Caitlin Hamilton, and Clare Hamilton. Jim was predeceased by his sister, Janet Allen and his sister-in-law Helen Daley. The family wants to thank dear friends and numerous Daley cousins for their love and support and recognize the caring professionalism of the staff at Grant Medical Center, in particular, nurse Libby. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Saint Charles Catholic Church in Lima at a later date.