James Jim Allen Gerren

He was born May 5, 1931, in Rootstown, a son of the late Frank and Hazel (McGinley) Gerren. Jim retired from Furon Corporation in 1996 as a receiving clerk. He was a veteran of the US Air Force stationed in Alaska during the Korean War. Jim also served his country as a 12 year member of the National Guard and was employed at the Ravenna Arsenal.

Jim will fondly be remembered for his outgoing personality and generosity. He played Santa at many holiday parties for family, friends, and coworkers. Jim was an active member of the Rootstown Lions Club and helped to organize the annual Easter egg hunt. Most of all, he was devoted to his family, and cherished the time spent with his grandchildren.

James was preceded in death by his beloved wife Doris Jean (nee Rusinko) Gerren, his brother Robert Gerren, and his sister Lucille Bancroft. Surviving family members include his children: Jim (Cindy) Gerren, John Gerren, and Judie (Ron) Sturgill all of Rootstown; grandchildren: Nathan and Jacob Gerren, Roland and Alec Sturgill; as well as his sister Pauline Campbell of Ravenna.

Friends will be received Wednesday, March 7, 2012, from 5:00 – 8:00 PM at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, where funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday. Interment will follow at St. Mary Cemetery.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com. Special thanks to the staff in the ICU Department of Summa Health System’s Western Reserve Hospital in Cuyahoga Falls for their care during Jim’s illness.