James George Byrnes

James George Byrnes, 83, recently of Gallipolis, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center after a short illness surrounded by his family.

Jim was born on August 9, 1940 in Baltimore, Md. He was the son of the late George M. Byrnes and the late Bertha P. Wosk Byrnes.

He was a proud graduate of Calvert Hall Catholic School in Baltimore, Md. He attended the University of Dayton in Ohio. After two years, he transferred to the University of Baltimore and graduated with a B.S. in Marketing and Advertising in 1962. Throughout his career, he enjoyed working for Ruben Donnelly Advertising and the Duro Test Corporation. He established Century Lighting in 2000 and was self-employed until he sold his business in 2013 and retired to Ohio. Jim served in the U.S. Army stateside during Vietnam. He was an active member of several Catholic churches throughout his life, enjoying many years of singing in choirs. He also spent 20 years doing choreography and singing with the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America. In retirement, he renovated his boyhood Lionel trains and enjoyed displaying them during Christmas at St. Louis Catholic Church in Gallipolis, Ohio. Jim was also an avid bird watcher, feeder, and protector.

Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathy, his daughter Jennifer L. Foster ( Bob), grandchildren Taylor, Thomas, and Kate Foster, an aunt, Henrietta Carder, his two sisters-in-law, Carolyn Byrnes and Lelia A. Tankersley, brother-in-law, Thomas J. Glanville, and nephews and nieces, Ronald (Angel) Byrnes Jr., Joanne Hook, Michael E. (Mern) Tankersley, Richard A. (Paola) Tankersley, and Kenneth B. (Shannon) Tankersley, and Leslee Parks. He is also survived by a multitude of much-loved cousins and grand nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his brother, Ronald Byrnes Sr. and nephews Brian Wallace and T.J. Glanville.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at St. Louis Catholic Church with Father Tom Hamm officiating. Friends and family may call on Monday, November 13, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Willis Funeral Home. Jim will be honored with military rites on Tuesday morning at the funeral home.

A Celebration of Life in the Baltimore, Maryland and Richmond, Virginia area will be announced at a later date.