Death date: Jun 17, 2026
James Andrew Oppermann, 77, of Westerville, Ohio, passed away on June 17, 2026, at The Inn at Bear Trail in Lewis Center, OH. Jim was born in San Francisco, California and moved to Ohio in 1992. Jim graduated from St. Mary's Co Read Obituary
Having worked with “Mister O” for about 7 years at America West Airlines, I was tremendously saddened to learn of his passing. He always garnered a great amount of respect from myself and other employees as well as passengers, due to his unique “cool as a cucumber” demeanor and dry humor. I always hoped to stay in touch with Jim after we each left the airlines, but as everybody knows, time gets away from us. Fly high, Jim!
I have fond memories of seeing Jim many places, but especially at the airport in his America West days where he greeted me with a laugh and a hug while I anxiously waited for the flight. He was one of the great ones, a mix of intelligence, humor, and endless compassion. My love goes out to Sandy and the many who adored him. He will truly be missed.
Jim was sweet, genuine soul... a man who always had a hug and an accepting smile. I will truly miss seeing him. I enjoyed reading about all the things he loved to do, and did professionally. I've never looked forward to a celebration of life before, but for Jim, I am. He is truly someone to celebrate, and to be thankful for knowing. Love to you, Sandy and all of Jim's family.
Amy Bailey
One of my favorite memories was his class on aviation business and how he used a computer program to create a world simulation of multiple airlines and then letting the students be the president and run their own airline and country. If you were to succeed, you had to negotiate with other students to land your plane and trade goods in their country. If you cheated and just skipped the negotiations Jim was like the great equalizer and a hurricane or some other natural disaster would take your airline out. Chaos happened. Most of the class bankrupted their airlines but he showed us how quickly and hard it was to manage a business or life. He taught us these lessons with a smile and encouraged all of us to pursue our dreams and to be flexible for whatever comes out way. I started my career in Delta airlines and the Air Force Reserves. I retired from the Air Force as a Master Sgt and became a National Park interpretive ranger teaching history, dispatcher, and safety officer. If it was not for Jim, my life, love of aviation, my military career and teaching would have taken a different turn. Thank you Jim.
I got to know Jim as the very cool dad of my good friend Kate. He was that dad that would show up to things on a motorcycle and then with a twinkle in his eye and a smile he’d have a witty remark or some good-natured joke to share. His calm, laid-back demeanor made him so easy to talk to and like all of the Opperman clan, he was so pleasantly and unabashedly himself, he put you instantly at ease. I will always appreciate his gentle spirit and wonderful sense of humor. A month ago I received a text from Jim with a video of his daughter and I performing a comedic dance routine, providing me with one more smile.
Sending love to all of the Oppermanns. He will be missed.
Mulch Jim mulch!
What gate are you at? Is it oversold?
Miss you and your great wit!
Oh Mr O! You were soulful nothing shook you working at America West as our Supervisor✈️ I was often on the Hot Seat working Gates but I knew you had my back and between you and me I was your favorite 😌 My heart is heavy as you were such a big part of my tenure at America West 💙🦋✈️
No matter how crazy our operation got, Jim was always calm( almost infuriatly so!!).
His favorite saying was “Planes come,planes go.
With my fondest memories, fly high Jim💙🥰✈️
