ZANESVILLE: James Andrew (Jim) Pyle of Zanesville, Ohio, left this earth lightly and with grace on January 19, 2015 in his 97th year.
He was born on April 4, 1918 in Denver, Colorado to the late Herbert Pyle and Stella (Echelberry) Pyle McLees.
He was raised in a farming family with five siblings near Blue Rock, Ohio. He was a member of Rural Dale Grange and Rural Dale Methodist church as a youth.
He served from 1942 to 1946 in the U.S. Army Air Corps in the Pacific Theater, specifically on Guam and Okinawa, as an airplane mechanic.
While stationed in California, he hitchhiked cross-country several times on leave to visit family. Upon returning home, he worked at many different jobs: he owned a service station on West Main Street with his brother; he delivered milk for the Greiner Dairy; and he retired from the parts department of Dutro Ford at age 75.
He was an avid reader and is remembered for reading aloud, Shakespeare and Kipling to his children before bed.
He was very active in the Zanesville Community Theatre, playing roles from Shakespeare to Sondheim.
He also built sets and served for many years as the theatre's front of house manager.
He also loved being outdoors and knew much about the woods and fields of southeastern Ohio.
Jim was a loving husband, father, brother and friend to many.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn Louise (Harper) Pyle. They married in St John's Lutheran Church in Zanesville, Ohio.
He lovingly cared for during her final illness.
He is also survived by his daughter, Amy Underwood, with whom he made his home; his son-in-law, Carleton, who was his primary caregiver; and his granddaughter, Carys, who was the apple of his eye.
Also surviving are his sister, Mary Evelyn Parkinson; estranged son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter, Eric, Cheryl and Amanda Pyle; nieces, nephews and many friends.
A gathering of friends and family will be held 4-6 pm, Friday, January 23, 2015 at DeLong-Baker & Lanning Funeral Home, Zanesville, Ohio where services will take place at 6:00 pm with Rev. Darla Revennaugh officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to St John's Lutheran Church of Zanesville, Ohio, Genesis Morrison House or the Zanesville Community Theatre.
To sign the online guestbook please visit
www.delongbakerlanning.com - See more at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/zanesvilletimesrecorder/obi...Eloise Pyle Nickols
Amrine
James Dutro Pyle - Gaysport cemetery,
Denny Pyle
Homer Pyle
Tommy Pyle
Muskingum County, Ohio
Shinnick street
J. Herbert Pyle
WWII Veteran