James E. Arbaugh

James Edward Arbaugh passed away on September 3, 2012 after a brave battle with renal failure and congestive heart failure. Jim was born December 22, 1928 to Harry Gene and Mae Almroth Arbaugh in Toledo, Ohio. He attended Longfellow Elementary School and graduated from DeVilbiss High School in 1946. While at DeVillbiss, Jim was the Senior Class President, a counselor at Storer Camp, a letterman in tennis, and an avid bowler. Jim enrolled in the Business College of the University of Toledo, was initiated into the Alpha Phi Omega local fraternity, and served as president of the fraternity before enlisting in the United States Air Force. Jim was an Air Force Information Specialist while stationed at Yokota Air Base near Tokyo and was named Airman of the Month in April 1953, just prior to his Honorable Discharge on his birthday of the same year. Upon returning from active service, Jim continued his education at the University of Toledo. He was initiated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon national fraternity, where he again served as Chapter president. He graduated from UT in 1956 with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. In 1957, Jim married Marilyn OBrien. Together they raised two children, Jennifer and Brian. Jim sold securities for Braun Bosworth & Co. before returning to the University of Toledo to pursue a degree in Business Education. He taught for one year at Northwood High School and was then asked to join the UT faculty as an accounting instructor at the Community and Technical College. Jim went on to become the first Chairman of the Business Technology Department, Chairman of the University YMCA Board of Managers, a member of the Faculty Senate, and faculty advisor to Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He had a wonderful 35 year tenure at UT where he served on multiple committees and was honored as the University of Toledo bowling league Sportsman on the Year. He retired from his distinguished career at the University of Toledo as Retired Professor Emeritus. Jim was a kind, gentle man with an admirable demeanor. He played an intelligent hand of bridge, often won at poker, played a respectable round of golf, was usually the anchor man at the bowling alley, and for the most part, went with the flow, never creating unnecessary waves. An avid Detroit Tigers fan, he also enjoyed working in his yard and puttering at the lake. Jims presence will be sadly missed and his memories will definitely be remembered favorably. Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn; daughter, Jennifer Lee Arbaugh; son, Brian James Arbaugh Jennifer Marie; and his four granddaughters, MacKenzie, Hailey, Drew, and Quinn Arbaugh. He is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Schafer Donald; niece, Debra Johnson Danny; brother-in-law, Jim OBrien of Fort Myers, FL; and niece, Tracy Bennett and Scott OBrien. He was preceded in death by his parents; special nephew, Jeffrey Schafer; and favorite aunt, Auntie Elsie Almroth. The family would like to acknowledge the wonderful staff at Wildwood Dialysis Center who cared for Jim the past six years and the comfort provided by a most competent team of nurses and aides of Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Visitation will be Thursday, September 6, 2012 from 4-8:00pm at the Walker Funeral Home, 5155 Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Rd. where a memorial service will be held on Friday at 11:00am. Jim asked that donations be made to the University of Toledo UTRA Scholarship Fund or the charity of the donors choice. Online condolences may be shared at walkerfuneralhomes.com.