James Martin Mclane

James Martin McLane, age 88 went to his Heavenly reward Sunday, November 13th. He was survived by the love of his life of almost 70 years, Donna (Cuttler) McLane; sister Ruth (McLane) Oneil; daughter Cindy (McLane) Delong, son James Marvin McLane, Daughter-in-law Mary (Seidel) McLane; Grandsons Joseph McLane, Cory Delong ; Granddaughters Arielle ( Wesley) Lynch, Ashley Delong ; Great Grandsons Alex McLane, Luke Delong, Treysean Buchanan, Sebastian Lynch; Great Granddaughters Perseis Plank, Ireland Plank, Delaney Lynch, Tori Harris. He was preceded in death by his parents, Castle L. McLane and Essie Lucinda (Ashey) McLane; brother David McLane, daughter in law Vicki (Reynolds) McLane.

James spent 37 years in charge of 3 different Coca-Cola Bottling plants in Ohio. He managed his plants exceptionally and won many awards as a result. He took early retirement and worked another 11 years as a Realtor for HER Realtors in Columbus, Ohio. He was exceptional as a realtor winning many awards and was Rookie of the year his first year in a company with 500 agents. This was accomplished because he cared more about his clients needs than his own. He truly did.

His most important commitment was to his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. He was extremely committed and involved in his church. Orange Road Friends church. He helped many people to know about Christ and that was his number one priority, especially in his later years.

All services and visitation at Orange Friends Church, 3467 E. Orange Road, Lewis Center, Ohio 43035. Saturday November 19th. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m. Service at 11:00.

In Lieu of Flowers, charitable donations to Orange Friends Church would be wonderful.


James Martin McLane Eulogy

Written by his Son James Marvin McLane

James McLane was born on October 12, 1934 to Castle L. McLane and Essie Lucinda ( Ashley ) McLane. Those years were very tough occurring in the depth of "the great depression" that went on until 1939 and many felt until after World War II. Most families were struggling while food and shelter were tough to come by. He was deeply loved by his Father and Mother but lost his Mother Essie at age 4. She died of strep throat because penicillin and antibiotics were not yet available. Throughout his life until he passed, he wondered how his life might be different had his Mother been in his life. However, while his Father Castle was very loving and proud of Dad, it was necessary for him to go live with his Grandpa & Grandma Ashley on the farm while his younger brother David stayed with his Dad and Grandma McLane.

These years were the most influential years shaping his life by the lifestyle and witness his grandparents lived and taught him. He cherished those years and talked about them his whole life. Dad said one of the most memorable things Grandpa taught him in addition to the scriptures was the most important possession he had was "his reputation". He said, "today people would call that my witness".

Before Dad was 6 years old, he was milking cows by hand and learned to squirt milk into the cats' mouths when they came around. He loved it. After filling up his first bucket of milk the old cow moved her foot and kicked the bucket over. Of course, Dad cried and cried, his great achievement being ruined. His Grandpa had him driving a little Farmall F-12 tractor at age 7 by himself. He was so small that he would have to sit on the front edge of the seat and use both feet extending his legs to push in the stiff clutch. Additionally, his Grandpa still farmed with a team of horses, (Kate & Mod ). Dad would ride on the back of old Kate while Grandpa was plowing until he would fall asleep. Grandpa would then make him get down and go to the house to sleep. There were many chores to be done each day and Dad was paid 5 cents per week. It is interesting to me there was only an outside bathroom called a privy, no inside bath or drinking water. When Dad was 17, Grandpa gave him 3 acres of cornfield and told him whatever it generated could be used to by a car. Dad was able to purchase a 1941 Blue Chevy for $350. This was in 1951.

Dad Graduated high school in 1952 with 10 students in his class. It wasn't too difficult to make the basketball team at Bell Point Highschool with only 10 total students. They were lucky to have a team at all. It also meant his team was quickly out of the tournament and he was able to sit in the stands watching other games. Praise the Lord for this poor basketball team, because while sitting in the stands after elimination, he met the love of his life, our Mom Donna Cutler. He was so smitten by her, he almost couldn't believe it. Mom had many choices and many suitors but chose Dad because of his genuine character and morals from his relationship with the Lord he received from his Grandparents and his Dad. Good choice Mom!

Those times in the early 50's getting started on your own were still very difficult. Dad was working at Albers grocery store for 75 cents per hour. He found out that Coca-Cola was hiring and went to work there for $1.15 cents per hour. Mom & Dad married in 1953 and life got even tougher because Mom became pregnant that year with me, her best child and had to quit her job. Sorry Cindy, I have writing privileges here. ( just kidding. You are the best child ). Dad picked up supplemental jobs to make ends meet, selling Cutco Cutlery and even Thom McCann shoes. They would divide one package of Chef Boyardee Spaghetti making it last for 2 meals weekly and the same with a pack of hot dogs. Times were very different then than now. Life really was " just trying to survive". But it was a very good time with the Lord's blessing which people seem to realize much more when times are tough and they know the need for Jesus.

Finally, Dad ended up working 37 years for the Coca-Cola Bottling company and did very well. He was the plant manager for 3 different bottling plants in Ohio and his plants were the best across the county. He won many awards. I worked for him through high school and college and my sister Cindy even worked there for a time. It was the best teaching lesson for getting a college education I could have possibly had. It was also a wonderful experience.

Dad took early retirement and worked another 11 years as a Realtor with HER realtors with the same tenacity and ethics he used all his life. He was exceptional as a realtor again winning many awards, his favorite being "rookie of the year" his first year in a company that had 500 agents. This was accomplished because he cared more about his clients need than his own. He truly did. I witnessed it.

The most important commitment he had however was to his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ. He was extremely committed and involved in his church. Orange Friends Church. He helped many people know about Christ and Salvation. That was his number one priority, especially in his later years.

Even though his last months were racked with pain and challenges, he wanted to get better and continued to witness and praise the lord and still absolutely loved life. He finished Strong.

I strongly believe when he met Jesus on this last Sunday, Jesus said "Well done good and faithful servant!