James "Jim" Blount

June 4, 1935 - August 22, 2017

Former Hamilton Journal-News editor and noted historian James “Jim” L. Blount, passed away at Ft. Hamilton Hospital August 22, 2017, where he was born June 4, 1935, the oldest of 5 children of James and Julia (Mignerey) Blount. Jim graduated from Hamilton High in 1953, where he worked on the school newspaper and radio show on WMOH. He was quarterback for the Big Blue in 1952. Jim worked full time for the Cincinnati Enquirer while earning a BS in Education at UC. He earned a Master’s Degree in History from Miami in 1965. He taught history at Hamilton High/Taft for six years, where he was an assistant football and head track coach. His 1962 track team won first place district title. In 1963 Jim began working full-time for the Hamilton Journal-News. He became Editor-in-Chief in the early 1970’s. Through Journal-News editorials Jim pushed for city improvements, including the connector to I-75, the Jack Kirsch Underpass, low level dam and all things to benefit the city he loved. Jim returned to teaching History and Civics at Wilson Jr. High in 1986. Jim served as the press box announcer and team record keeper for the Cincinnati Bengals for 41 years, from their first game through 2008. Involved with Miami-Hamilton from its start, he promoted growth through editorials and news stories, taught journalism and was very active in the Michael Colligan History Project at the campus. The Jim Blount History Award began in 2005 to recognize outstanding area history teachers. In retirement he served on the Transportation Improvement District board from 1994 till present, as chairman in recent years. He signed the bonds for Ohio Route 129 and contributed to Bypass 4 improvements, Liberty Center and Union Centre interchanges. For over 50 years he pushed for improvement to the South Hamilton Railroad Crossing, now under construction. The City Council honored him on July 12, naming the overpass for him. He was recognized as Hamilton Citizen of the Year for 2005, Hamilton City Schools Teacher of the Year 1991-1992, inducted into the Hamilton City Schools’ Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the Butler County Historical Society Distinguished Historian Award in 2011. Known as Hamilton’s Historian, he wrote the stories on the medallions on the High-Main Bridge, most local Ohio Historical markers and over a dozen books on local history. Jim was an avid reader and student of the Civil War. His files will be donated to the Lane Library’s Smith Historical Library. Jim and Jackie (Steigerwalt) married on December 27, 1958. Together they raised two children of whom they are very proud. The couple loved traveling, having visited all 50 states, most National Parks and presidential museums. They also traveled internationally for many years. Trips with their children and later daughter and grandchildren provided wonderful memories. Jim is survived by his wife and best friend, Jackie, who organized family life, enabling him to be active in the city he loved, daughter Lori, grandchildren James (Anabel) and Devin, great grandchildren Ella, Maya and Leo Shook. Siblings include Judy (Ron) Hartman and Jean (Bill) Eads of Hamilton, Jerry (Dorothy) Blount and Joyce Blount of AZ. He also leaves several nieces and nephews including Steve (Jo) Hartman of Hamilton and Jaime (Henry) Chou of CA, cousin Lois Krysiak of PA. Family friends include Hamiltonians Sheilah Hahn Richter and Jerry and Marilyn Furginson, who set up the couple’s blind date. Jim will be buried at Rose Hill, next to his son, Brian, who died of GBM (brain cancer) in 1997. Visitation will be held Friday, August 25, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Weigel Funeral Home. 980 N. W. Washington Blvd. A funeral service will be held Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be directed to The Blount Family Scholarship, Miami University-Hamilton, 1601 University Blvd, Hamilton, OH 45011 or the Brian J. Blount Memorial Scholarship, Hamilton Community Foundation, 319 N. 3rd St., Hamilton, OH 45011. Online condolences are available at www.weigelfuneralhome.com “When someone you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure.”