James M. Venable Jr.

James Madison Venable Jr, age 91, of Somerville, Ohio, passed from this life into his Heavenly Home on October 5, 2015. James was born in Owsley County, Kentucky on September 13, 1924 to James “Matt” and Verlie (Reynolds) Venable. James was married 60 years to the love of his life, Pauline (Vance) Venable who proceeded him in death in 2006. He never stopped missing her. James is survived by his sisters, Mavis (Lowell) Seale of Marysville, Tennessee and Vivian (David) Fox of Nicholasville, Kentucky; three of his five children, Patsy Turman of Hamilton, Paula Venable of Trenton and Mark (Nina) Venable of Manila, Arkansas. He also leaves behind 14 grandchildren Mike, Krista, Rebecca, Bobby, Beth, Jimmy, Kelley, Faith, Ernie, Matthew, Mark, Marisa, John, and Zachary; 22 great-grandchildren, 5 great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and a multitude of friends. James joined the Civilian Conservation Corps at the age of 17, and six months later was drafted into the Army after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He served in the 141 Infantry, 36th Division North African Campaign Invasion of Italy, during the first invasion of Europe. He received numerous medals and honors including the Bronze Star. James worked in the finishing department at Champion International Paper for 41 years, retiring in 1988. He greatly enjoyed spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren whom he loved deeply. James loved spending time outdoors camping, fishing and boating. He always had a smile on his face and never met a stranger. He was kind, compassionate and generous with his time. He volunteered to help many people along the way including helping to rebuild churches in the south after Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Before moving to Woodland Country Manor in Somerville, James was a long-time, active member of Immanuel Baptist Church in Hamilton. James was very proud of his graduation from Hamilton High School in 2004. He and three of his brothers also had the privilege of flying to Washington DC to visit the WWII Memorial on one of the first Honor Flights in 2005. James has several loved ones waiting to greet him in Heaven: his wife Pauline, his parents, his brothers William Lee Venable, R.B. Venable and Ernest Venable, son James “Mike” Venable, daughter Jo Ann Thomas, son-in-law Don Turman, grandson Curtis Scott Daniels and infant great-grandson Andrew Michael Venable. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the loving care that their Dad received at Woodland Country Manor and the caring of Vitas Hospice, especially nurse Kelly. A very special thank you to dad’s beloved caregiver Teresa. A final word from Dad. “I’ve had a good life”. Visitation will be at Avance Funeral Home 4976 Winton Rd. Fairfield Ohio 45014, Friday, October 9, 2015 from 5-7pm with the Celebration of Life service immediately following. Graveside Service will be held Saturday, October 10, 2015 at 10:30 AM at Hickory Flats Cemetery 4464 Morganthaler Rd. Hamilton, OH 45011. The family requests any donations be made in James' name to Vitas Charitable Organization. Mailing address Vitas Healthcare 11500 Northlake Dr. Suite 400 Cincinnati, OH 45249