James Booker

James Booker, age 90, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away peacefully on May 29, 2024. Jim was a retired attorney, federal administrative law judge, and assistant Ohio attorney general. He is survived by his wife, Onda Booker; his sister, Julie Evans; his children, Rebecca Blood, Linda Stanek, Molly Booker, and Andrew Booker; his grandchildren, Alex Stanek, Elliott Stanek, Sydonia Lary, Alice Garrett, Zach Forsberg-Lary, Victoria Forsberg-Lary, Jules Forsberg-Lary, Hayden Bryant, and Mason Bryant; and his daughter- and sons-in-law, Ken Blalock, Nikia Bryant, Dan Stanek, and Jesse Garrett. Visiting hours will be held at Egan-Ryan Northwest Chapel on Saturday, June 8 from 9 - 10:00am. A family service will follow.

Jim was born on June 27, 1933, and selected by Homer and Grace Booker of Lancaster, Ohio for adoption. His sister, Julie, was adopted two years later. Sadly, Homer died when Jim was 8 years old. He was raised by his devoted mother, with the loving support of her father Walter Hermann. His deep love and appreciation for Grace never wavered, and he frequently spoke of her as the best mother he could ever have had.

Jim was a lifelong musician, starting with drums and then learning to play his father’s saxophone. He began playing professionally in high school, most notably with the Dick Trimble Band, at the time, the best dance band in Lancaster. After high school, he played in the Campus Owls at Miami University and in several Army bands during his two years of service. Later in life, he taught himself piano, which he played nearly every day. He carried his American Federation of Musicians union card in his billfold for the rest of his life.

After his Army discharge, he gave up dreams of being a professional musician and enrolled at The Ohio State University to study law. There, he met Onda, whom he married in 1958. Also while there, he began playing chess, another life-long passion.

After passing the Ohio Bar, Jim practiced law for 13 years before becoming an Administrative Law Judge for the Department of Social Security until his retirement.

Jim and Onda built a house in Northwest Columbus in 1970, and he never stopped loving the house and neighborhood where he spent the rest of his life. He was very proud that all four of his children received degrees from The Ohio State University. After his children were grown, he devoted himself to his grandchildren, a devotion that never ceased, remaining as close to them in adulthood as in childhood.

After retirement, Jim and Onda spent many years taking weekly drives through Ohio, trips he planned at the kitchen table using a paper map. Together they visited all 88 Ohio counties. He also read novels and collected poetry, and he spent many years researching and writing family biographies.

In his last years, Jim was a familiar figure in his neighborhood, taking daily walks in his black wingtip shoes, light blue button-down shirts, and a dark blue LL Bean cap.

For his family, Jim’s kindness, generosity, and unwavering moral compass informed their lives. At family gatherings, he brought warmth, love, and infectious fun. Poking fun at himself, he often said, “I’m a small but constant source of amusement.” He loved laughter and the ability to bring joy to his family. We will miss him.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

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