James N. Growden

James (Jim) N. Growden, 93, finished his long life journey on August 15, 2023. Born October 6, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio, the eldest of five children of Jay and Lucille Growden, he set out early to seek adventure. Jim enlisted in the Army during the time of the Korean War and was a Corporal, company clerk and part of the September, 1950, joint amphibious landing at Inchon. Visiting his brother in San Francisco in 1956, he met and married the love of his life, Dorothy E. DeCremer, and they were married for 57 years until she preceded him in 2013.

After the birth of their first daughter in San Francisco, they moved back to Toledo, raising four children there and in nearby Sylvania, Ohio and always enjoyed socializing with friends and neighbors. Jim plied several trades and ran his own landscaping and irrigation business locally, gaining the nickname of "sprinkler" over the years. They enjoyed travel to see family, including visits to Wisconsin, Alaska, Florida and California.

Jim treasured his grandchildren and always had a ready smile and hello for neighborhood kids or those he met at the supermarket. He often told the store clerks and passersby “to have a good life”.

He is survived by daughters Linda (Michael) Androvich, Grand Rapids, OH; Cynthia Growden (Michael Allen), Santee, CA; sons, Jay Growden, Fairbanks, AK and James F. (Sofia) Growden, Waterville, OH. He so enjoyed his four grandchildren, both near and far; Eric Androvich, Long Beach, CA; Angela Little, Maumee, OH; Joe Soto, Columbus, OH; Rachelle Persson, Kalskag, AK and great-grandson, Axel Little, Maumee, OH. Jim was preceded in death by brothers, Robert (Doris) Growden, Donald Growden and sisters, Luetta Smith and Carol Vandivort.

There will be a private family remembrance of life at a later time and the family suggests any memorials go to Hospice of Northwest Ohio, who provided caring support, or a charity of the donor’s choice.