James G. Verbridge

James G. Verbridge, 86, of Copley, Ohio died on August 28, 2025.

Jim was appreciated, loved, and admired by so many, especially his family: wife, Rev. Becki Bowan Verbridge; children, Steve (Michelle) Verbridge, Suzanne (Bryan) Adel, Hilary Buckeye, and Ben (Sarah) Buckeye; grandchildren, Jakob, Annelise, Erik, Michael, James, Bradley, Parker, Violet, and Owen; and sister, Barbara. Jim appreciated, loved, and admired all of them as much as they did him.

Jim was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on April 15, 1939, to James and Helen [Zichterman] Verbridge. He graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School, Calvin College, and went on to Western Michigan University where he did some graduate work prior to being recruited by the Social Security Administration. He served in various offices in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and Northeastern Ohio, rising to District Manager in Sandusky, Ohio prior to his retirement. Jim then embarked on a second career as Fiscal Officer of Milan Township and Treasurer of the Milan-Berlin Library District. He permanently retired in 2016.

Jim was an avid reader, with a special affinity for print newspapers, American history, constitutional law, and good fiction.

He was a person of faith, shaped by many Christian traditions: Christian Reformed, Presbyterian USA, United Church of Christ, United Methodist Church, and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He was also influenced by many contributors to the body of progressive Christian theology.

Over the years, Jim was a member of the Jaycees, Kiwanis, and Rotary International. He volunteered at Stein Hospice in Sandusky and the Summit County Humane Society. He sang in various church choirs and community choruses.

Jim enjoyed boating on Lake Erie, trips to the Upper Peninsula, weeks in and off season at Chautauqua Institution, and time with his neighbors in Copley. He said he never met a four-footed creature that he didn't like. His favorite thing to do was read in the sunroom of his home in the company of his wife and dog, with classical music playing in the background. The only thing that topped that was time spent with his grandchildren.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions should be made to the Summit County Humane Society.