James Davis Renner

James Davis Renner of Elkhart, Indiana died on July 11 at the age of 67, following a courageous battle with kidney cancer.



James (Jim) was born on July 28, 1941 in Dover, Ohio to the late Dorren Leander Renner and Jane Francis (Davis) Renner. He is survived by his sister Ann Barger Renner of Winter Haven, Florida and his wife Jeannette Diane (Hepler) Renner. His three children are Jennifer Renner Howell (Ronnie) of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Jessica Renner Weers (Gerald) of Virginia
Beach, Virginia and Jeremy Davis Renner (Jeanna) of New Albany, Indiana.



Jim's childhood was spent in New Philadelphia, Ohio, where he played baseball, football and was an Eagle Scout. He graduated from New Philadelphia High School in 1959. After graduating from Heidleberg College in 1963 he served his country in the United States Navy, where he earned the rank of Quartermaster Second Class and had cruises on the USS Harlan R. Dickison and the USS Gearing. He completed his service in the US Navy Reserves. After his time in the Navy he returned to school and obtained a Master's Degree in Education at Edinboro State College.



James taught in New York and Pennsylvania before teaching overseas with the Department of Defense in Okinawa, Japan and Würzburg, Germany. He also taught in Elkhart, Indiana and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. Jim's love of teaching was passed on to his children as all three of them have become educators.



James and Jeannette were married in Okinawa, Japan on October 21, 1969. They shared a love of their children, antique collecting and world travel.
In retirement they enjoyed visiting and travelling with their nine grandchildren.



JIm was a beloved government and economics teacher and basketball coach. While he taught in several schools, most of his career was spent at Wuerzburg American High School in Germany, where all three of his children attended. While at WAHS his former students will recall his catch phrases such as "There is no such thing as a free lunch!" and "You have to make an economic decision!" for years and years after leaving his classes. He frequently sponsored the student council, junior and senior classes, and
Model United States Senate. In the classroom Jim's subjects came alive for his students. He announced wrestling matches and football games as "The Voice of the Wolves" and received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the school.



When he wasn't teaching James enjoyed the sport of walking. He served as president of the Tulsa Walking Club and participated in organized walks in ten countries and 45 states. He was also a bowler and an avid sports fan. He participated in football pools and cheered for the Oklahoma Sooners, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Ohio State Buckeyes and professional teams from Cleveland. He was especially proud when a former student became the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers.



Jim was a member of the Osceola United Methodist Church and a leader of the Men's Ministry there. He belonged to the Tuscarawas County (Ohio) Historical Society, the Green Country (Oklahoma) Water Garden Society, the Boy Scouts of America, the Mayflower Society and the American Legion.



There will be visitation at Zimmerman-Inman Funeral Home from 4:00-8:00 PM on Friday, July 17. Zimmerman-Inman Funeral Home is located at 1109 Lincolnway West in Osceola, Indiana.



The funeral will be at Osceola United Methodist Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 18. The family will be there to greet visitors at 10:00 AM. The Osceola United Methodist Church is located at 431 North Beech Road in Osceola, Indiana.



A funeral service will take place on Sunday, July 19, 2009 at 1:00 pm at the Ragersville Zion United Church of Christ, which is located at 8831 Crooked Run Road SW Sugarcreek, Ohio. Burial will follow at the Ragersville Cemetery , where the Sugarcreek American Legion will conduct a military graveside. Friends are invited to call at the church on Sunday from 12:00- 1:00 pm. The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover are handling the arrangements. To sign an online guestbook and share a fond memory of James, please visit the funeral home's Web site and click on Obituaries.



Memorial contributions may be made to Tuscarawas County Historical Society 325 East Iron Avenue, Dover, Ohio 44622 or Osceola United Methodist Church
431 North Beech Road in Osceola, Indiana 46561.