James Lehmann Obituary

James Alton Lehmann

James Alton Lehmann, 75, of Findlay, passed away Wednesday Nov. 30, 2022, while temporarily residing at Orchard Villa Skilled Nursing Facility in Oregon, Ohio.

Jim was born Dec. 7, 1946, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Dr. Leonard P. and Dorothea "Dottie"(McClure). Jim was a 1965 graduate of Fostoria High School and a lifelong fan of all Fostoria High Redmen sports.

Jim was the eldest of eight children and was preceded in death by his sister, Carol (Chris) Reinhard. Jim is survived by Lou Ann (Jon) Brandeberry of Fostoria, Dr. Charles (Lorraine) of Las Vegas, Nevada, Thomas "Tom" (Donna Gaffin) of Valrico, Florida, Dr. Douglas (Teri) of Villa Park, Illinois, Dr. Steven (Sue) of Fostoria, and Richard "Rick" of Fostoria. Jim was divorced and is survived by his estranged daughter, Jennifer, as well as two grandchildren who he has never seen.

After graduation, Jim attended Tiffin University where he received his Associates in Accounting. He next attended Bowling Green State University where he received a bachelor's degree. James also attended Ashland University where he received his Masters. He honorably served in U.S. Army from 1970-1971 as a paymaster at a stateside base. Jim was a member of Big Brothers in the mid 1970s and kept in contact with his "little sib" for decades. Even while in high school, Jim took his responsibility as the eldest brother quite seriously and in many ways was a father figure to all of his seven brothers and sisters throughout his life.

Sports was Jim's passion throughout his life. He loved baseball and especially Cleveland Indians. He could spout out the box scores and stats of players better than he might have been able to recite his daily school lessons. He also loved Cleveland Browns and could talk for hours about their successes and failures on the field. His personal favorite sport was basketball. He excelled at high school basketball and the old YMCA club teams. He was a retired basketball referee, working across much of Ohio from the late 1970s through the 1990s. He refereed games at the state tournament level and college, but enjoyed high school girls games the most. Being a referee was his favorite hobby.

Next to sports, Jim enjoyed traveling. Jim had traveled through much of America and Europe. He took the time to explore the cities in Germany and Luxemburg where his family roots had once been planted. Later in life, he made multiple trips to Ukraine and Russia for personal pleasure.

Jim was a retired school treasurer serving Fostoria City Schools, Hardin Northern Schools, Eastern Local Schools, and lastly at Mansfield Senior High School.

The Lehmann family would like to thank Fostoria High's class of 1965 for all your years of friendship, the staff at Senior Homes of Findlay, the staff at Fresenius Kidney Care Creighton for all your years of patience with Jim, the staff at Davita Fallen Timbers Dialysis for the same reason, Hancock County Veterans' Services, especially his driver of five years, Linn Tate, and the staff at Orchard Villa in Oregon, Ohio.

Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022, and 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2022, at HOENING FUNERAL HOME, 242 W. Tiffin St., Fostoria. Graveside services with military honors will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (his birthday) at Veteran's Memorial Chapel of Fountain Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Fostoria Athletic Boosters or Fostoria Redmen Club in care of the funeral home.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.hoeningfuneralhome.com.