With a smile that could light up a room and heart big enough to match, Bruce D. James, Sr., knew that the satisfaction received from a good day’s work was nothing compared to the joy received from a smile of a loved one. No stranger to hard work, Bruce had grown up on a farm with a large family and he liked knowing he had done his best at a job. But he also liked spending time with his kids and passing on what he knew, all with the intention of helping them. Even as an adult, Bruce was still just a farm kid with a mischievous streak, and his family loved him for it.

The years following World War II were a time for the nation to recuperate and find its bearings once again, but for the James family of Paulding County, Ohio, there was no time for rest. Lloyd W. and Mildred M. (George) James worked hard managing their family farm and there was no shortage of things to do while raising their eight children. Bruce joined their clan on October 17, 1947.

Bruce grew up with dirt between his toes and a twinkle in his eye. Farming was tough and Bruce and his siblings were busy with seemingly endless chores and responsibilities. It wasn’t all work and no play, though. Bruce had a little ornery streak and the combination of his sense of fun and his firecrackers was not always a recipe for success. His mom sometimes hid his firecrackers in coffee tins in the freezer, to save him and those around a little grief.

Working alongside his father, Bruce learned about farming, vehicles, and carpentry, knowledge that was both useful and a source of enjoyment when he got older. Eventually, he could construct things from his own blueprints or those of others. He could tear down engines and put them back together, something he later passed on to his own children. He enjoyed stock cars and racing, spending some time dirt track racing and the occasional drag race down the street. He loved to push the limits of his cars after he rebuilt the engines.

He left high school to help out full time on the farm. When Bruce was in his twenties, he worked on the farm as well as at Phillip Dodge. Sadly, his father passed away, leaving him and his siblings to manage the family homestead. Later, his mother fell ill and they had to make the difficult decision to sell the farm into which they had invested so much time, energy, and love.

Bruce left Phillip Dodge after five years and started working at BF Goodrich in Woodburn. He lived in Antwerp, Ohio, for twenty-one years, and after his marriage to Paulette Belcher, he moved to Hicksville and later Montpelier. Through the ups and downs that life inevitably brought, Bruce had no greater joy than spending time with his family. In love, he disciplined his kids with time outs and stern lectures, and balanced that with the assurance of his affection and support. They made a lot of fond memories at amusement parks like Cedar Point and Kings Island and everybody loved their time at Sea World.

There were also some memorable camping trips. To Bruce, it wasn’t camping if they weren’t in a tent, and he enjoyed teaching some of his outdoor skills to the kids. He could start a fire with nothing but sticks and had sufficient survival skills to live off the land if necessary. They had a lake home that provided countless hours of fun and relaxation, and when Bruce had time off, he enjoyed fishing and boating. The fact that he couldn’t swim didn’t bother him in the least, but it did provide his kids with a little stress now and then. Once he was putting in the dock and misjudged where the drop off was. The next thing the kids knew, their father had all but disappeared, with just his fingertips poking up out of the water. They dove in and helped him out. Unfortunately, on another occasion, his lawnmower was not as fortunate. He drove it into the lake, and although he was able to get out of the water safely, his lawnmower was not.

Bruce always kept that little piece of him that liked to have a little fun with people now and then. His kids and grandkids quickly learned never to let him know if they thought someone else was good-looking. The first chance he got, he would make sure that person knew who their admirer was and he had plenty of chuckles over the red-faced reactions he got. They all recognized that his teasing was from a heart of love, though, and not mean-spirited.

Bruce moved to Columbia City in 2000. He retired from BF Goodrich after thirty years. He loved having more time to spend with his kids and was happy to go camping with his son Bruce in July of 2014. He gave advice when someone asked for it and was supportive when they ventured out into new areas. He will be missed, but he has left his family with a lot of practical know-how, a lot of wisdom, and a lot of love.

Bruce died on Tuesday, May 5, at his home.

He is survived by his children: Melisa M. (Mike) Puckett, Columbia City; Bruce D. (Sarah) James Jr., Paulding, Ohio; Wendy K. (Bruce) Hile, Columbia City; and Bobbi S. (Arthur Lee) Gibson, Auburn; step children: Linda Stultz; William (Tamie) Stultz; brothers: Kenny G. (Evelyn) James; and Walter L. (Robin) James, both of Payne, Ohio; and sixteen grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother: Harry A. James; and a sister: Jean A. Salway.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until noon Monday, May 11, at DeMoney-Grimes Funeral Home, Columbia City. His funeral will follow at noon, with Deacon Dave Laker officiating. Burial will follow at Wiltsie Cemetery, Payne Ohio, at 2:30 p.m.

Memorial gifts may be given in his memory to Larwill Volunteer Fire Department.