James R. Thomas

On August 30, 2023, our extraordinary dad, James “Jim” Thomas passed away surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his infant son Tommy, his parents James and Elizabeth Thomas, as well as his brothers-in law Bill Meismer and Erv Miller.

Jim was born on June 1, 1936, in Aultman Hospital. He recalls his mom bragging about being able to pay cash for him. In 1936, it cost $9.26 to bring him home. Jim often credited Aultman Hospital with saving his life many times and we are grateful to the amazing doctors and nurses for giving us 87 wonderful years.

Jim grew up the oldest of three children in Massillon, Ohio and was an avid Massillon Tiger fan. He had two adoring sisters, Mary Jane Meismer (late Bill Meismer), and Edie Miller (Jack Borseth). Jim credited his incredible parents Jim and Elizabeth with “the start of it all in creating the best family ever.”

Jim graduated from The Ohio State University where he earned a Juris Doctor. After college, Jim married Julie Jarvis and together they raised five children: Mary Kalec (George), Elizabeth Thomas-Bailey, Jim Thomas (Barb), Ann Thomas-MacDonald (Bill), and Paul Thomas (Amy). They were great parents. Our childhood was full of fun surprises and adventures and our holidays were magical. Dad taught us the joy of a great surprise, the gift of giving and the importance of helping others.

Jim practiced law and was most proud of his time with Legal Services, as his main motivation for becoming a lawyer was to help people. When asked about his career, his response usually circled back to his greatest source of pride, his family. Dad/Papaw regularly let each one of us know that he was fiercely proud of us. In addition to his five kids, Jim also had thirteen grandkids—Kelsey (Jace), Heather (Sam), Margo (Liam), George, Eleanor, Paul, David, Julianne, Parker, Zack, Matthew, Stephanie, and Miles—and six great-grandkids, Mia, Quinn, Bridget, Harlow, Rory, and Barrett. Each new generation filled him with more pride, joy, and entertainment.

In addition to his sisters, Jim is survived by his devoted partner of 27 years, Margaret “Peggy“ Haunty. Together, they enjoyed traveling, visiting friends, and giving back to their beloved Massillon community. Peggy also added three more kids to Jim’s life—Beth (Tim) Hepler, Jill (the late Jeff) Ramser, and Chris (Jeannette) Haunty—as well as four grandkids, Sarah, Jason, Christopher, and Samantha, and two great grandkids Hazel, and Claire. He also leaves behind his beloved cat Ginger and quite a crew of Meismers who all lovingly referred to him as Uncle Jim.

When asked recently if he had any advice, Jim said “Always have a passion for something. It really doesn’t matter what it is, but it’s important to have passion in your life. Also, above all else help people.”

Jim lived by his own advice and especially enjoyed sharing his interests with his kids and grandkids. Sailing at Seneca Lake, cooking incredible meals, singing with the Lincoln Lions, snow skiing, biking, and bourbon were some of his favorite interests. Additionally, Jim was a gun enthusiast. He said he was “exactly like the kid in A Christmas Story as a child.” He grew up hunting with his dad and in his retirement years, enjoyed his weekly meetups with his “play group” at the North Lawrence Fish & Game Club, where he was a member. His passion for guns carried throughout his life and getting to target shoot recently with his great grandchild Mia and shoot a rubber-band gun with his great grandson Rory were real treats. He refurbished WW2 military guns from the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Russia, Sweden, and Italy. These projects combined his love of guns and history. Impressively, he did most of it by watching YouTube. He embraced technology and enjoyed his ability to connect every week over Zoom with his family throughout and after the pandemic. True to his Welsh roots, Jim was a great conversationalist. We sure will miss listening to his stories.

When it came to helping others and service, Jim set a great example for his family. We continue to give back in ways that made him proud. Jim was a volunteer for Hospice, Westark Family Services, was a member of a Masonic Lodge, a Master Mason, Past Master & Tadmor Shrine, a volunteer at Spring Hill, and gave countless volunteer hours to the Lions Lincoln Theater in Massillon.

On his 87th birthday, he recited a poem that he wrote about his “fourscore and seven years ago” birthday, a play on the Gettysburg Address. It was brilliant and given that Lincoln was his lifelong hero and inspiration, it was a fitting theme for his party.

To the very end, Jim was as sharp as a tack and continued his great appreciation for life. The day before Jim died, he told a social worker, “Well, I still have a lot to live for” and went on to tell her about his amazing family. He never lost his excitement for the next day. What a great way to live. Jim/Dad/Papaw was an all-around great person, and we will miss him profoundly. Our hearts are broken and full at the same time.

Jim’s service will be held on Saturday, September 9, 2023 at

Paquelet Funeral Home 1100 Wales Rd NE Massillon, Ohio 44646.

Visitation hours 12:30pm-2:00pm, with the service at 2:00 pm

Those unable to attend the service at 2:00 pm may click on Watch Event on the obituary page at www.paquelet.com. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.

Jim requested donations be made to The Lions Lincoln Theater.

Send checks to: The Lions Lincoln Theater 156 Lincoln Way East Massillon, Ohio 44646

Donate online https://www.lionslincolntheatre.org/donate/ add Jim Thomas in comment section.