James Ellsworth Mansperger Jr.'s Obituary
James Ellsworth Mansperger, Jr. (Jim), known to his friends as Fritz or Fireman, passed away peacefully at home on March 15, 2023, at the age of 84. He was born on September 23, 1938, in Columbus, Ohio.
He was preceded in death by parents, James E. Mansperger, Sr. and Ruth (Ewing) Mansperger, brother, Otto Mansperger, and sister, Judy Mosley.
He is survived by daughter, Julia Goldthwaite (Mark), son Craig (Angela), Grandchildren Jeremy West (Shawna), Lucas West (Lizabeth), Lindsey Henderson (Jeff) Hayley Tolbert (Wes), Lauren and Ian Mansperger, and Brandon, Justin and Lauren Poole. Great-grandchildren Alex West, Rosalie and Catalina West, Reese, Tanner and Clark Henderson, and Smith and Georgia Tolbert. Sisters Etta Rice and Ruthie Manos. Many nieces and nephews and ex-wife and friend, Donna.
Jim was a regular at both Johnnie’s Glenn Avenue Grill and NAUS Club 15A and had a great circle of friends he enjoyed spending time with every week.
He graduated from Central High School in 1958 and enlisted in the US Army where he spent time as a Military Police Officer in Germany. His rank was SP4/E4 when he was honorably discharged in 1964.
Jim joined the Upper Arlington Fire Department in 1968 and during his career as a Firefighter and Paramedic he received the Bravery Beyond the Call of Duty Heroism Award in 1968 for a water rescue on the Scioto River. Jim retired in February 1993.
He was a 32nd Degree Mason at the Avery Lodge in Hilliard.
Jim loved The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns football. He was a lifelong fine artist, and loved to bowl and play golf. Jim also volunteered at The Memorial Golf Tournament as an EMT for 35 years.
A Memorial Service is planned for April 25, 2023, at Station 67, located at 379 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43215. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. and the service will be from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
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