James C. Dallas

James C. Dallas, 91, of Urbana, passed away peacefully January 18, 2013 at his home with his family by his side after a brief illness of cancer. Jim was the owner of Dallas Jewelry store here in Urbana and an avid golfer and bowler. He grew up as a Christian farm boy in Barnesville, Ohio, the oldest of four children to the late Earl and Edna (Reed) Dallas. After graduating, Jim enlisted in the Air Force. He was stationed at CCC camp in Yellowstone National Park where he fought forest fires. He went overseas to Australia where he played his first game of golf. He later went to the Phillipines to serve. After the war ended in 1945, he came back to Barnesville where he met his loving wife of 66 years, Mildred (Millie) Plumly and they married in September 1946. Jim owned a jewelry store in Scio, then worked for another jeweler in Carrollton, Ohio before coming to Urbana in 1961 where he took over Howard Evans Jewelry. He enjoyed walking his dog and always raised a garden until he was 90. He was a member of the auxiliary Ohio Highway Patrol since 1958, and a member of Harmony Lodge #8 F. & A.M. Jim also bought a semi-truck and drove for himself as a second part-time job. Jim was known by all as a very kind, gentle, soft-spoken man. He was a very intelligent man who faithfully watched Jeopardy. He was very competitive in his sports. He had to give up golf at the age of 89 because of his vision, but bowled as recently as a month and a half ago. Surviving is his wife of 66 years, Mildred, daughter, Carol (Gary) Zerkle of Urbana, son, James M. Dallas of Las Vegas, NV, a sister, Martha Perkins of Barnesville, grandsons, Michael (Deborah) Holycross of Woodstock, Matthew Holycross of Urbana, David J. Dallas, and James M. Dallas Jr. of North Carolina, great-grandchildren, Tessie, Dalton, Grace, Ashley, Kaitlyn, Lauren, Lindsay, great-great-grandchildren, Bentley and Izzabell Simpson, and several nieces and nephews. Preceding him were his parents, a sister, Virginia Leonard, and a brother, Robert R. Dallas. Family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 in WALTER & SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 642 S. Main St., Urbana, where a funeral service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 23, 2013 with Pastor Dan Leiker officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Dale Cemetery. Contributions may be sent to the American Cancer Society, Ohio Southwest Region, 2808 Reading Road, Cincinnati, OH 45206, or The Community Mercy Hospice, 444 W. Harding Road, Springfield, OH 45504-9964. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.walterfunerals.com.