James Howard Rager Jr.

James Howard Rager Jr., age 54, of Bolivar, and formerly of Dover, entered the kingdom of God peacefully, early Friday morning from his home. Jim was a man of many talents. Born at Pittsburg, March 12, 1952, he was a son of James Howard Rager Sr. and Lila Price Rager of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Jim was both a gifted athlete and musician in high school where he was the quarterback on the football team, and during halftime Â? played the trumpet with the marching band. Jim was a very devoted husband to his wife and best friend, Linda Bellas Rager. The two met following graduation from Pittsburg Moon High School, he in the class of 1970, and she in ’71. In less than a year, the couple wed, and on October 13, of last year, celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. The Rager family also includes three sons, James Howard Rager III, of Dover, Jeremy (wife Kelly) Rager, also of Dover, and the late Joshua Rager, who died at birth. Jim had a knack for understanding complex operations. Over his twenty-five year career in the steel-industry, he was called upon many times to trouble-shoot and improve operations at many companies throughout the United States. He began his career in steel after working as a police officer at Crescent Township, and East Rochester, Pennsylvania. On his second day as an officer, Jim had a suspect pull a gun on him. Later his partner was shot, and wanting his family to worry less for his safety, he accepted a position as a millwright with Hussey Metals. Jim quickly gained a reputation as an expert in improving the efficiency of metal fabrication equipment. From Hussey, Jim became affiliated with B & W Steel, also of Pittsburg. From B & W Â? Jim relocated his family to Muskogee, Oklahoma, where he accepted a position with Coburn Gerber Optical, manufacturers of optical instruments and lenses. The Rager family located to the Tuscarawas Valley in 1987, when Jim accepted a position with Barmet Aluminum Corporation at Uhrichsville. For the next decade, Jim stayed put as his sons completed high school in their hometown of Dover. During this time, Jim was an avid fan of whatever sports his sons participated in, especially football. Mr. Rager also became a member of Mystic Tie Lodge # 194 F. & A.M. at Uhrichsville, where he formerly served as a steward, and the Scottish Rite, Valley of Canton. Jim was also a member of the Tusco Rifle Club, and numerous golf leagues.In 1998, Jim and Linda moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Jim went to work as Superintendent of OmniSource Steelworks. Jim retired from there in 2003. He and Linda relocated to Bolivar to be closer to their sons. There, the Ragers became active members of the Bolivar Wesleyan Church. Jim was also very fond of spending long days with his golden retriever Dalton Â? playing fetch in a nearby field. Most of all, Jim enjoyed spending time with his family – whether watching the History channel and tinkering with cars together with his sons, enjoying a quiet dinner with his wife, or spending time hunting and fishing with his father and brother, Greg (wife Patty) Rager of Pittsburg. Jim was also fond of his wife’s family, his mother in law, Shirley Bellas of Pittsburg, and his father-in-law, the late George Bellas. In his retirement, Jim also became an excellent cook. Jim will be memorialized Tuesday morning at 11:30AM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover with the Reverend Doctor Steven Gerig and Pastor Dwight Mason officiating. The Rager family will greet friends in a reception following the ceremony. Cremation will follow with inurnment alongside his son at Pinewood Memorial Park in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania later this year. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bolivar Wesleyan Church, P O Box 517, Bolivar, OH 44612. Arrangements are under the care and direction of the Geib Funeral Center at Dover.