James A. Ditmyer's Obituary
A Ham Radio has stopped today. W8NUO is silent. Radio operators all over the world are missing his signal. Ham Radio – The old way – in Morse Code was our dad’s passion. James A. Ditmyer, age 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 4, 2015.
James Andrew Joseph Ditmyer was born October 25, 1918 in Toledo Ohio. His parents Raymond and Louise Ditmyer had 4 children: Raymond, Jr., Jerome, James and Loretta. As a child, he walked to school, to St. Anne’s until 8th grade. He and his friends were adventurous. In the train yard, a favorite place, one day they mistakenly hopped a train to Detroit. Most adventures were spent at the local dump, where he started his collection of junk. Some would say he never stopped collecting. He also spent much time at the library where he discovered his lifelong love of reading. He always told us how he was amazed when he first went to the library and learned that all of it was available for free. He continued to go to libraries all around the country several times a week into his 90’s.
In his early teens, he peddled hand bills walking all day for two dollars. With the money he bought a typewriter and radio kits which he built with his friends. From that he got his interest in Ham Radio. He learned Morse Code and had his radio license by the age of 17 in 1935.
After graduation from Vocational High, jobs were difficult to find. So he went to Scott High and graduated in 1936. He started working at Saves Electric (light bulb factory). He saved his money and went to Kansas City to train for a job as a radio operator. He didn’t like the airline job he was offered to he returned to Save Electric to work – a fortuitous decision for a beautiful young woman had begun to work there. He met Arleen June Phillips and fell in love. May 1st, they went to a movie on their first date. He showed his devotion to her by walking 13 miles each way to see her – which soon won her over. Arleen’s mother would drive him to the street car so he wouldn’t have to walk so far. The street car cost was .25, so he, being frugal, would walk the remaining miles home anyway.
In this same period he served in the National Guard from 1935-1938 and the Navy Reserves from 1939-1941. Soon he had the opportunity to apply in New York City with American Airlines. After training, he was given a position in Nashville and so he came back to Toledo to marry Arleen on July 15, 1940 – and off they went to Nashville. A year and a half later their twins, Joyce and Joan, were born.
There was a 6 month move to Memphis but WWII had started and personnel at American and other airlines became part of the Air Transport Command (a part of the Air Force) to serve around the world. They flew men and cargo in and out of war zones in Europe, Africa and Russia. James was a Flight Radio Officer and mentioned in Fate Is the Hunter by Ernest H. Gann, an account of these harrowing services.
While he flew in the missions, Arleen and the twins lived in NYC so they could see him on occasion.
James was sent to Chicago for a period to teach radio to others who would become flight radio operators. Arleen and the girls moved to Chicago. After 6 months, they all moved back to NYC until the war was over in 1945.
After the war he was assigned to Cleveland making everyone happy because they were back in Ohio and closer to relatives. They established their home in Olmsted Falls.
In 1949, on July 22, the addition of Jeanne Arleen was made to the family. She was the apple of her daddy’s eye because she was so much like her mother. When she was only 3, she contracted tuberculosis of the bone and spent months in Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital. Mom and Dad were strong and able to weather these difficult times.
When radio communications changed, James could have moved to other positions in other cities with American, but he stayed in Cleveland to keep his 3 daughters happy. He had been with American for over 20 years and retired.
James found a position in Electronics Reliability and Quality Assurance with NASA – the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. He worked there for 22 years and retired from NASA in 1982.
The family always traveled – often for free while dad was with American. Mom and Dad continued to travel after retirement.
Of course, there were sad events along the way with the passing of parents and other relatives. The death of Jeanne in December, 2007 after a long battle with Lupus was especially difficult.
Our parents remained in their home on Maypleway Drive until 2012 when they moved around the corner to Village of the Falls. It was fortunate timing because 6 months later, he had his stroke which led to his bed-bound status and hospice care of 2 ½ years. He will be missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents Raymond N. and Louise (nee Courte); his siblings; and his dear daughter Jeanne Arleen Ditmyer.
Beloved husband of 75 years to Arleen J. (nee Phillips); Loving father to Joyce (William) Geiger and Joan (James Paul) Chapman; cherished grandfather to Laura (Alan) Lake, Paula Adams, Kimberly (James) Houston, Anastasia (Gerald) Sagerman and Bryce (Nancy) Geiger; and great-grandfather of 12.
Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 1:30 PM, on Sunday, June 7, 2015, at Village of the Falls, 25920 Elm St, Olmsted Falls.
James’ family suggests donations be made, in his memory, to your local library; or Hospice of the Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44110-9915.
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