James J. Hair, 77

James J. Hair, 77 of Ashland, passed away Tuesday evening October 18, 2016 at his residence in Ashland.

Mr. Hair was born in Edwardsville, IL. On March 31, 1939 to the late John and Dorothy (nee Minor) Hair.

He graduated from Edwardsville High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University and also received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Jim received his real estate education from Hondros Business College. He has had 40 years of financial background.

He had been a resident of Ashland since 1989. Jim was a Certified Public Accountant. He had worked as a controller at PCA (Packaging Corporation of America) until he took a position with Galion Incorporated as the head of the accounting department. He had also sold real estate for 10 years.

Jim was a man who loved the outdoors and he had served as treasurer of the Ashland County Parks Board. He was also a member of the Ashland Board of Realtors from 2000-2014 and had served on the Legislative and MLS Committees. He served as Secretary and treasurer from 2009-2012 and was an Ohio Club RPAC contributor. In 2007, Jim earned the Ohio Association of Realtors President Sale Award of Achievement and attended his 4th OAR Annual Convention. Jim also received the Ashland Board of Realtors highest honor,

Realtor Distinguished Service Award in 2012. He was a member of Ashland County Pheasants Forever Chapter 442, the NRA, and was a former member of Ducks Unlimited and was an Eagle Scout.

He enjoyed fishing from his boat on Lake Erie, hunting, and had helped with many of the youth programs offered through the Parks Board and Pheasants Forever.

On August 10, 1996 James was married to Sharon (Baum) who survives him. He is also survived by a step-daughter, Ginger (Doug) Huff of Ashland and their children Morgan & Brock: a step-son Will Cahill of Nova and his son Ryder: a son, James B. (Deborah) Hair, daughters, Barbara A. Hair & Lisa (Jim) Fowler: grandchildren, Ashley A. Stewart, Constance A. Hair, Sydney A. Osborne, Lillian A. Hair and Jayden A. Hair and great-grandchildren, Teagan A. Troxtell and Shelton H. Troxtell.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister Katherine Howerton and a brother, Donald Hair.

A Celebration of life service will be held November 13, 2016 from 1-4 p.m. at the Fire Company Nature Cabin, 1498 St. Rt. 511 South. The entrance is past the third house on the right going south.

Memorial contributions may be made to Ashland County Pheasants Forever Chapter 442, The Ashland County Parks District or to the Ashland County Cancer Association.

Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home and Crematory assisted the Hair family with the arrangements.

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