Went to meet the Lord on Monday, July 9th, 2018. He is preceded in death by his father, Verney R Tufts, Sr, his mother Ella J. Tufts, his brothers Verney R Tufts, Jr, William S Tufts, his sister Betty Tennant, and his loving wife Helen M Tufts. He is survived by his brother Jerry Francis (Jean Tufts), his daughters Karen Jane (Gary), Susan Ann (Mark), his sons Jeffrey Craig (Diane), and James F Tufts, Jr; grandchildren Danielle, Ethan, Kaitlyn, Jacob, Samuel, Joseph, Tanyah, Amanda, and Ashley; and a host of nieces and nephews. Jim was born Dec. 5th, 1933 in Portsmouth, Ohio. He attended Portsmouth High School (PHS) where he played on the football team. He graduated from PHS in 1953. He was employed at Williams Shoe Company. He also was a meat cutter at A&P and worked at the post office. Jim served a total of nine years in the US Navy and US Navy Reserve. He also served a tour aboard the U.S.S. New Jersey. Jim married his PHS sweetheart, Helen Marie Peake in 1956. He started college at the Ohio University (OU) branch in Portsmouth. Jim graduated from OU with a BS ED in 1963. Jim taught industrial arts at Logan High School and Wheelersburg High School. Jim and Helen moved to Gahanna in 1964. He was accepted to teach woodworking and driver’s ed. at Gahanna-Lincoln High School. Longtime Methodists, they found a warm, and loving church at Stonybrook UMC. Jim also worked summers at Evans Mchwert Hamilton and Tilton. Jim taught nights at Matta College of business. This led to Jim taking a fulltime job there. Jim later opened his own school called Columbus Drafting Academy. In later years Jim taught and was the director of several proprietary schools. These schools include Mansfield Business College, Careercom, and Southern Ohio College. Jim finished his teaching career at Technology Education Center. Jim found time to grow a backyard garden and several woodworking projects. Jim was foremost about love of God, love of family, and love of country. He will be missed by his many loved ones, friends and acquaintances.

A memorial service will be held at Stonybrook UMC, Friday July 20th, 2018. Visitation will be at 1:00, with service at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a memorial fund, in Jim’s name, at Stonybrook UMC or the American Lung Association.