James “Jim” Robert Rimer, 85, of Zelienople, PA, formerly of Clarion, PA, entered the presence of the Lord on the morning of March 12, 2014 at The Center for Compassionate Care Canterbury in Pittsburgh, PA.
Jim was born on May 21, 1928 in Rimersburg, PA to Robert Over Rimer and Gertrude Bashline Rimer. He grew up on the Rimer farm in Huey Township and graduated from Union High School in 1946.
He married Barbara Jean Manson on June 5, 1954. They were happily married and best friends for 58 years and raised two children together in Clarion.
Jim served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957 as a tank commander at Fort Knox, KY and Fort Hood, TX.
Back in Clarion, Jim worked with Source Incorporated as a salesman in the carpet industry. After over 20 years he retired as the vice president of sales. He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Clarion.
In retirement, Jim and his wife Barbara built a house together in Davenport, FL. They enjoyed time with family and grandchildren, game nights with friends, and they took more than 30 cruises all over the world. They enjoyed cruising so much, they started their own cruise travel agency. Jim was an avid reader, particularly of Civil War history.
After his wife’s passing, Jim returned to western Pennsylvania and joined the Passsavant Retirement Community in Zelienople. He volunteered in the travel office and enjoyed the fellowship of new friends there.
Throughout his life, Jim was always an active member of his local church, attending Sunday school and serving as a teacher and deacon.
He is survived by his son Ken Rimer and fiancée Terri Gooding of Scottsdale, AZ, and his daughter and son-in-law Sandra and Bill Joseph of Darlington, PA. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Michael Rimer of Phoenix, AZ, Alycia Dalbey and husband Jason of Pittsburgh, PA, Laryssa Nilsen and husband Josiah of Augusta, GA, Jessica Rimer of Chicago, IL and Audrianna Cageao and husband Nic of Chicago, IL. He is also survived by three great grandchildren: William Rimer, Joseph Nilsen and Elaina Nilsen.
He is preceded in death by his wife Barbara on December 31, 2012 and by his brother, Ray and three sisters: Lois Manning, Ruth Keefer and Virginia Rimer.
Jim’s life will be celebrated with a memorial at the Seaman Memorial Chapel at Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople, PA on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 11:00 am. Interment will be at the Rimersburg Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, family and friends can make donations in his name to the Passavant Retirement Community. Checks can be made out to Passavant Retirement Community with James Rimer in the memo and mailed to 401 S. Main Street, Zelienople, PA 16063.
Jim always had a song to sing, and his family will remember him as a man of generosity and prayer. James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” He will be greatly missed.
Local arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street in Clarion. Friends and family may send online condolences, share memories and obtain additional information by visiting the funeral home website at www.goblefh.net.