James "Jim" Surber

Jim was born in Somerset, Kentucky to the late Charles and Mary Beulah Surber on March 30, 1941. He grew up in Dayton, Ohio where he graduated from Patterson Co Op High School in 1959. Even though he did not graduate college, he found great success in the mortgage banking business being know as one of the top mortgage bankers in the state of Ohio. He and two business partners started their own mortgage company in 1996 called Multi States Mortgage which is still operating today.

Jim’s friendly and outgoing personality left him with many friends over the years. He always stayed in touch with high school buddies and many of the people he had worked with. He especially enjoyed his golfing buddies and his poker buddies. They always seemed to have a story to tell after each game!

Jim loved his cars. He had too many to keep track of in his life time. From his high school cars to his 1957 Chevy, then a few Corvettes and mercedes came along.

He enjoyed working with the Jaycees in Ohio and got a kick out of being a Kentucky Colonel. He was a Mason for a number of years also.

Jim’s charm and personality lead him to meet and marry the love of his life, Linda Lakes. They lived and worked in the south Dayton area for a number of years until they moved to Florida.

Of all of the things Jim loved, his family was always first.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Linda Surber, by his daughter Angie Lewis of Melbourne, Australia, his grandchildren, Zeke Lewis of Melbourne and granddaughter, Alyssa Lewis Forbes (Adam) of Bonbeach, Victoria. Jim’s stepdaughters are Susie McCormick (Alex) of Ft. Myers, Florida and Lori Chevalier of Auburn Hills, Michigan. Their children are Bob Backman (Edna and their daughter Remi) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, Joe Backman (Tami) of Rochester Hills, Michigan, Lexi McCormick (Evan) of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan and Ross McCormick Mehta (Puff) of Ferndale, Michigan, Cody Chevalier and Jake Chevalier of Auburn Hills, Michigan.

Jim is also survived by his little sister, Joyce Dunn, of Beavercreek, Ohio and her children and grandchildren

Last but not least, Jim is survived by his faithful dog Cooper who is in mourning waiting for Jim.

Services will be held at Faith Lutheran Church, 4150 Goodlette Road, North, Naples, Florida 34103 on July 18, 2020 at 10:00 am. This service will also be broadcast live over the Internet. Burial will immediately follow the services at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens.