James "Jim" Christopher Columbus

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Jim Columbus was a husband, a beloved son, a brother, an uncle and a friend.

Jim enlisted and was honorably discharged from the US Navy. Jim proudly served aboard the USS Essex (CVA –9) during the Korean War. He served at Sea… “Sea Service” continuously for 2 years, 11 months and 1 day. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, China Service Medal, & United Nations Service Medal.

Jim was an engraver, a print setter. Jim described loving the artistic expression in the art he created. He often mentioned he would lose himself in his work, which brought him such peaceful joy. His favorite color was blue, and his eyes were hazel. He was 90 years old. He loved college football & loved everything baseball. He was an avid swimmer. Jim Columbus graduated from Copley High School in Copley, Ohio. He was an avid sportsman, and enjoyed a lifetime of fond memories of his time spent in Ohio. He attended Arizona State University in the late 1950’s, his College Major was Mathematics.

None of this, though, tells you who Jim really was. His full name was James Christopher Columbus (Τζέιμς Κρίστοφερ Κουλούμπης) He received his name from his Pappou (grandfather) from Lixouri, Cephalonia, Greece. His father called him his “Little Gift”(δώρο). Jim was a Gift – a dear good soul, always kind and so gentle, so shy, generous with an adoring smile and a loving spirit.

Jim was one of those classic American son-of-a-immigrant-makes-good stories. His father was a Greek young man who fled severe oppression in what was then called the Ottoman Empire and eventually made his way by boat to America with no money and no English but a fierce determination to make a better life for the next generation. Somewhere after arriving at Ellis Island, his family name, Kulumbis, became Columbus, and his father found work as a musician, (french horn and classical guitarist) and he later co-owned a restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio, because, well, that’s what Greeks do. Jim’s mother, Rossie (Rose) Harris of West Virginia, met Vasilios (William) Kulumbis and married. In just one generation, from an immigrant father to a college educated, son. Only in America. His parents were so proud of Jim.

Mr. Columbus is preceded in death by his wife, Helen M. Columbus, Kihei, Hawaii. His sister, Coralee Columbus Jackson, Akron (Clinton), Ohio and his brother, William Louis Columbus, Sun Lakes, Arizona.

Jim shared nearly 50 years with his beloved wife, Helen M. Columbus, they each provided inspiration that will last for generations. Helen M. Columbus was the quintessential successful partner. Helen was an executive with a major telephone company, a leader of its time, in California.

Helen and Jim were wonderfully talented; hard work was the most vital ingredient of success for them, honesty and integrity and decency and generosity and compassion and perseverance and family were more important than anything else to Helen and Jim Columbus. They retired to Kihei, Hawaii.

When Jim faced a challenge… and he did, he lived with the diseases of Depression and severe Anxiety, for many years…

He always asked himself what would his father do.

Thank you for sharing his memory.

James Christopher Columbus would like to thank the Veterans Administration and so many of the VA Staff here in Phoenix; specifically his team of VA Social Worker’s, the VA Transportation Staff, and all those who care for patients in the Metro-Phoenix Area VA Clinics.

A special and heartfelt thank you to Hospice of the Valley.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) which is a managed by the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California. The USC Center for Elder Justice coordinates activities and research from the expertise of the USC departments of medicine, gerontology, health services, psychology, and policy. Please report Elder Abuse. Educate and offer Prevention. Look for and seek Detection, and offer Intervention.

Jim is laid to rest at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greenacresmortuary.net for the Columbus family.