James A. Hignite

James Alex Hignite (Jim), 73, of North Kingsville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on September 17, 2023 after a year-long battle with pancreatic and bone cancer.
He was born in Columbus, Indiana on July 15, 1950, son of the late Sebert and Kathryana Hignite. He is survived by his wife, Joyce Claire Robbins Hignite, his two sons, Adam Alex Hignite (Meghan Hignite), and Scott James Hignite (Nathaniel AuFrance) and his daughter, Robin Christine Hignite (Martin Price). He is also survived by two brothers-in-law (Dale Robbins and Steven Daily) and his nephew, Kyle Daily (Courtney Daily) and their two sons (Luke and Aaron). He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jeaney Hignite Daily.
Jim attended Indiana State University on a swimming scholarship and later transferred to Purdue. He graduated from Purdue University in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management and a minor in Personnel Relations. He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Jim worked for International Harvester, engine division in Indianapolis, Indiana, then transferred to their Tractor division in Rock Island, Illinois. He and his wife moved to Ashtabula, Ohio in 1976 and he began working for Rockwell International, fiberglass reinforced plastics plant. Jim worked for Bailey Transportation Products in Conneaut, Ohio (1977-1996) as their Master Scheduler/Buyer/Packaging Engineer. He worked at OEM of Erie, Pennsylvania, an automotive plastics supplier for G.M. and Chrysler (1997-2005). His last job was with Ashtabula Rubber as their Master Scheduler/Buyer/Customer Contact (2006-2018).
Jim was an Assistant Scout master of Troop 11 (Kingsville) and Merit Badge Counselor, as well as an Eagle Scout himself. He was actively involved in scouting for over 20 years. He was a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, the Elks Club of Ashtabula, and the Amboy Rifle Club. He also coached Little League baseball and YMCA basketball. Jim loved fishing, camping, boating, swimming, gardening, hunting, bowling, woodworking & leather crafts, archery, traveling and playing the guitar.
Calling hours will be held from 5:00 – 7:00pm on Thursday, September 21 with a Memorial Service at 7:00pm at Fleming & Billman Funeral Home, 526 West Prospect Road in Ashtabula, Ohio. Flowers may be sent, or donations given to the Boy Scouts of America or Hospice of the Western Reserve.
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