James (Jim) R. Birnie was born Friday, March 5, 1937 in Utica, Ohio .
he died Wednesday, May 17, 2017. his recorded age was 80.
JIM PASSED PEACEFULLY AT MOUNT CARMEL HOSPICE AFTER A BRIEF ILLNESS. HE WAS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY HIS PARENTS, DONALD AND JOSEPHINE BIRNIE AND SURVIVED BY HIS SIBLINGS, MELISSA BIRNIE HILD (DON), RICHARD (DEBBIE) AND DON (PAM).
AFTER HIS TRAINING AT ARCRAFT IN THE EARLY ‘70’S, HE WAS EMPLOYED AS A BUSSER AT FRIENDLY’S IN WORTHINGTON, WORKED AT A BOOKSTORE CAFÉ IN GRANDVIEW AND IN THE KITCHEN AT THE COLUMBUS ATHLETIC CLUB. THE PAST TWELVE YEARS HE RESIDED ON THE EAST SIDE OF COLUMBUS IN A SUPPORTIVE CARE HOME. HE WENT DAILY TO WORK AT GOODWILL INDUSTRIES ON EDGEHILL RD IN GRANDVIEW. AT GOODWILL, HE ENJOYED FRIENDSHIPS AS WELL AS SPENDING TIME IN THEIR ART DEPARTMENT.
HE SOMETIMES AMAZED FAMILY AND FRIENDS WITH HIS MEMORY. JIM SETTLED ANY DISPUTE ABOUT DATES OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHER INCIDENTALS LIKE ‘WHEN MOM GOT HER FIRST CAR; MAY 5, 1950” WHEN HIS SATURDAY BOWLING LEAGUE WAS MOVED FROM GRACELAND LANES TO FIESTA NEAR OSU CAMPUS HE STUDIED THE COTA BUS SCHEDULED AND FIGURED OUT HOW TO TAKE A BUS DOWNTOWN, TRANSFER TO ANOTHER AND GET TO THE PROPER BOWLING FACILITY CARRYING HIS BOWLING BALL ALL THE WAY.
ONCE WE GOT OUR FIRST TELEVISION AND THEY BEGAN PRINTING TV GUIDE, JIM WAS ABLE TO TELL YOU WHAT SHOWS WERE SHOWN ON WHAT DAYS AND AT WHAT TIME. HE WAS A GREAT OHIO STATE FAN AND ENJOYED WATCHING AND/OR ATTENDING GAMES.
WE ARE INDEBTED TO FRANKLIN COUNTY BOARD OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND HIS CARE GIVERS AT THE HOUSE ON WOODETTE ESPECIALLY JENNE CORNE FOR THEIR HELP AND SUPPORT OF OUR BROTHER.