Being a part of the academic and athletic programs at Stivers and having the role models and leadership of Mr. Samuel Chasens, Mr. Roland Flory, Mr. George Howe, Mrs. Edith Jacobson, Mr. Joe Sullivan and Mr.Vaughn Taylor, prepared him after graduation for the many amazing chapters of his life. After high school graduation , he worked a year to earn money to attend Eastern Kentucky University in 1965.
Jim was the first member of his family to graduate from college earning a BS insecondary education. On a blind date while attending Eastern, he met his futurewife, Linda, marrying her in 1968. They settled in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, whereLinda taught elementary school, and he taught and coached football and baseball. Working with disadvantaged youth in both the classroom and on thefield was rewarding, inspiring experience; however, he was offered a job from a neighbor in his family’s optical business. Although he hated to leave teaching, the yearly salary offered became important as Linda and Jim were planning onstarting a family. To this day, Jim holds close so many fond memories of that timein the education field.
Jim was an outstanding athlete in the early 1960’s. He earned 9 varsity letters; 4 baseball, 3 football and 2 basketball. His senior season he was named to the Journal Herald First Team All-City as an offensive tackle and also named First All-City defensive lineman by the Dayton Daily News.
Jim once stated one of his happiest moments at Stivers was when the baseball team placed 3rd in the National Baseball Tournament in 1960. Jim went on to be the ace of the pitching staff for the next couple of seasons, plus his seniors eason he led the team in hitting with a .348 average.
Jim apprenticed in the optical field until passing the test requirements to be an Optician. He made the decision to open his own store which heoperated for over 30 years.
Their family was blessed with a daughter in 1972 and a son in 1976 and as they married their family grew to a son-in-law, daughter-in-law and six grandchildren, one girl and five boys.
Jim stated he is deeply honored to become a member of the Stivers Athletic Hall of Fame and he is very appreciative of this recognition.
