James Jardine

James Robert Jardine born October 21, 1939 in Zanesville the son of John Jardine and Lila Poling Jardine Moore joined his Lord and family in Everlasting Life with no more pain and suffering on Saturday, August 29, 2026. He had many names throughout his life: Red, Bobby, Bob, James and Jim.
He lived a very adventurous childhood. His mother left when he was around 5 years old and he “ran the neighborhood” coming and going as he wished and had many crazy stories. At 11 years old he lost his leg from the knee down jumping on and off the train and he remembered the incident until he made it to the hospital.
Imagine a hospital in 1950. He was in the hospital for months and “ran the hospital”. Having an artificial leg never slowed him down; he water skied, swam in the ocean, and worked his entire life beginning with delivering newspapers at a young age. He spent summers at his grandfather’s farm in Grafton, West Virginia and enjoyed visiting. Up until a few years ago he continued going to West Virginia family reunions. At 18 he wrecked his motorcycle and was in the hospital again.
He married Norma (Snack) Jardine in 1960 and had 3 girls, Denise (Jody) Baker of Zanesville, Susan Renee (Bill) Christy of Heath and Amy (Jim) Wilson of Zanesville.
During that time, he was the Sunday School Superintendent, church youth leader, deacon, elder, property committee chairperson as well as other committees at First Christian Church. One of the most important accomplishments of his life was to teach his “girls” to love the Lord. He also raised and bred Silver Martin rabbits and showed and judged them at many county fairs. It was nothing for him to have 80 rabbits in his self-made rabbit pens. This led him to be a 4-H leader for many years. He built many things at the family home including adding on a garage, changing the old garage into a rec room and work room, the rabbit pens, and a lean too on the garage. He worked on the vehicles, had a big garden and taught his girls how to drive. They spent summers camping at Blue Rock with the Krause’s, Flower’s and many other friends, and going on vacations in their pop-up camper, which was pulled by his custom-made van with his “special” horn, which people still remember.
After the girls were raised he married Patricia “Patty” Jardine and they were married for 33 years. Patty’s children Cindy (Dale) Lewis and their children and grandchildren Nathan (Maegan) Lewis and children Caleb, Hannah and Abigail;
Timothy (Kathleen) Lewis and their children Steven, Theia and Ethan and Jennifer (Ben) Luttrell and their children Leila, Clayton, Ella, Clara and Carter. Her son Stephen (Kristy) Weber and their children Nick and Jordan (Beth) Weber and Amanda (Jay) Colling and their children Dr. Justin Thrush (Dr. Morgan Torcasio), Bethany and Brooke Colling. Jim and Patty both owned and operated their own businesses. They traveled to Europe to visit Steve and Kristy. They bought a camper and took their camper to Texas to visit Brother John where they learned how to play Texas Dominos which he brought back to the family to enjoy. Later they moved to Columbus for a few years. They belonged to several churches settling on First Baptist Church in Dresden, Ohio where he loved Sunday School, church and their Friday Gospel Sings, and his many friends there, Mary Lee, Larry, Frosty, Rachel too many to mention. He enjoyed the Zanesville Class of ’57 luncheons. He loved gardening, flowers, feeding the birds, reading and milkshakes, especially strawberry milkshakes. In November after having some health problems he went to AlterCare of Zanesville where he loved playing Bingo and cards with new friends Mark, Ron and Patti. In March, he moved to Clay Gardens which he called his home. He loved his room with a courtyard view, his garden and all the bird feeders. He loved all of the staff with some special ones that “spoiled” him including Gary, Amy, Stephanie, Savana, Holly, Mindy, Jessie, Shala, Luke, Sara and Tuesday. He loved his meal partners and all of their conversations: Carlos, Bill and Jerry and all the activities, especially loving Euchre with Jerry, Carol and Sally. Clay Gardens truly gave him a wonderful four months.
He is survived by his daughters’ grandchildren Josh (Jen) Baker, Brad (Brianna) Baker, Melissa (JP) Lichtner, Danielle Christy, Mady Wilson, and Trey Wilson. He had great grandchildren Daphnie, Logan, Zanden, and Vance Baker, and Elouise Lichtner. He loved watching them play their sports, teaching them about gardening and playing card games with them.
Jim was predeceased by his wife, Patty Jardine, grandson Cass Christy, as well as all of his siblings John Jardine, Gerald (Jerry) Jardine, Juanita Krause, and Larry Jardine, and brother-in-law Everett (Bud) Krause. He is survived by sisters-in-law Donna Jardine of Newark and Donna Jardine of Hilliard, as well as Patty’s cousin Ronnie Brock whom he loved going to the Amish Country with to shop and see shows and who continued to visit him regularly.
He was an optician for Dr Renner in downtown Zanesville and Sam’s Club in Reynoldsburg and Hilliard. He owned and operated Sunrise Optical in Zanesville for many years in Dr. Renner’s old building and on Maple Avenue. Many of his customers said no one else could adjust glasses the way he could and a few even sought him out in Columbus while he worked there. He is described as “one of a kind” “one of the nicest residents here” “the only one who never yelled at me”
“truly the kindest soul I’ve ever met”.
Private graveside service will be at Memorial Cemetery at 9:15 a.m. (time for Sunday school to begin) with Pastor Laureen Roe officiating.
A Celebration of Life will be at First Baptist Church of Dresden at 11:00 am September 2nd, 2026 with Pastor Mike Robinson officiating.
Funeral arrangements were made by DeLong and Baker Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to First Baptist Church.
To sign the online guestbook or leave your condolences, please visit www.delongbakerlanning.com