James Radcliff Obituary

James Lewis "Jim" Radcliff

James Lewis "Jim" Radcliff, 82, of Tiffin, passed away at 2:33 a.m. Sunday, March 26, 2023, at Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky.

He was born July 18, 1940, in Wayne, to Willard Radcliff and Lucretia Williams Radcliff Wagner. He married Lucinda (Cindy) Eidt in June, 1964, at Trinity UCC, and she survives.

Jim is also survived by two sons, Thomas Lewis Radcliff of Tiffin and Stephen James Radcliff (Lori) of Ottawa, Ohio; and grandson, Austin James Radcliff of Ottawa.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Robert R. and William A. Radcliff.

Jim grew up in Fostoria and attended Fostoria High School.

He retired from Tiffin City School System in 2006, where he worked as a custodian at Lincoln Elementary School for 21 years. Even though Jim had two boys of his own, he loved and enjoyed watching all the younger students mature and grow.

Jim enjoyed gardening and working in the yard. That could be seen through the years as the house was fully decorated for the holidays. Around Halloween time, the yard came alive with ghosts, goblins, and numerous blow-up decorations and people would just stop to take pictures of their children with the decorations. Then at Christmas, the house would be lit up with an extreme number of lights looking like a scene from National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. As it became more demanding on him and son, Tom, Christmas blow-ups were added.

Jim's true passion was golf, often playing 36-45 holes a day. One summer day, he even played over 100 holes. Some days, he would be at the course before the clubhouse was unlocked and still there trying to get in one last hole as the sun was setting. One of the stories he would tell was getting a new set of clubs delivered to work, sneaking away at lunchtime, and trying them out. On the third hole, he had a hole-in-one, but was playing by himself and could not tell anyone because he was playing hooky from work. His greatest joy was playing golf with his grandson and playing in the Father-Son Golf Tournament each year. He also enjoyed playing cards with his friends.

Visitation for family and friends will be 1-5 p.m. Saturday, April 1, 2023, at Traunero Funeral Home and Crematory, 214 S. Monroe Street, Tiffin, 44883, (419) 447-3113. Services and burial will be private at Seneca Memory Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Research Hospital or F.A.C.T.

To send online condolences to the family, order out-of-town flowers, or to view the celebration of life video, go to www.traunerofuneralhome.com.