James R. Didham, 65, of Bowling Green, Ohio died July 24, 2009. He was an organ donor.
James was born in Canton, OH and is the son of the late Robert and Elizabeth (Truscott) Didham. He is
survived by his wife, Beverly Didham.
Surviving children are his daughter, Laural Lynn (Husband-Tim) Brooks of Long Beach, CA (Child of Cheryl
Fortman); and his son, Robert James (Wife-Fiona) Didham of Kanagawa, Japan (Child of Edieann Biesbrock
Didham). Other surviving children are: Aaron (Leslie) Biesbrock of Maineville, OH; Brittany (Robert)
Kiser, Lisa Sullivan, Cherie (Jason) Hoffmann and Amy (Brent) Shewmaker, all of Indianapolis, IN. His
beloved grandchildren are Kellen and Devin Biesbrock; Braxton and Sofia Kiser; Dylani and Reece
Sullivan; Emelia Hoffmann; Madison, Zane and Blake Shewmaker.
James’ family home was in Bedford, Ohio and he graduated from Bedford High School. In 1965, he graduated
with his Bachelor’s Degree from Baldwin-Wallace. In 1967 he became an Admissions Councilor at
Baldwin-Wallace. In 1970, he became Director of Admissions at Mount Union. In 1972 he graduated with his
Master’s Degree from Kent State University.
In 1973 he was chosen Outstanding Educator of America and began post graduate work at the University of
Michigan.
James became Vice President of Findlay College where he was instrumental in the name change to the
University of Findlay. He also founded his own companies, AmeriFund (educational fundraising) and the
Didham Company which reached many in the tri-state area of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana.
Jim had a great passion for nature and enjoyed exploring places of wilderness. He was an avid canoeist,
hiker, skier, and snowshoer.
He travelled to far corners to experience the untouched wilds of Alaska, the North West Territories,
Greenland, the Rockies, and many others. Jim’s real passion was for sharing the experience of nature
with others and many people enjoyed their first wilderness trip through his guidance. To further this
passion, Jim became an accomplished photographer of wildlife and nature.
He passionately served as Board Member of the Adopt America Network, a non-profit organization finding
adoptive homes for children in foster care; the Ohio Chapter of the Nature Conservancy where he was also
their official photographer; and the American Cancer Society.
He was a member of the Findlay Lodge #227 F & AM; Chapter #58 Royal Arch Masons; Council #50
Royal and Select Masons; and Past Eminent Commander of the Findlay Commandery #49 Knights Templar and
the Scottish Rite. He was a member of the Tontogany Calvary Methodist Church.
Visitation for Jim will be Saturday, August 1, 2009 from 12 Noon to 3 p.m. with an hors d’oeuvre buffet
hosted in the Remembrance Banquet Hall. His Celebration of Life Service will be at 3 p.m. in the
Deck-Hanneman Funeral Home & Crematory, 1460 West Wooster Street, PO Box 648, Bowling Green, OH
43402. Telephone: 419/352-2171.
Memorial contributions may be gifted in Jim’s memory to Adopt America Network or the Ohio Chapter of the
Nature Conservancy.
Further obituary detail and on-line condolences may be placed by visiting www.hannemanfh.com.