Jimmie Dale Fruchey's Obituary
Jimmie Fruchey Obituary
Cridersville, Ohio Jimmie Dale Fruchey, 85, died at 10:51 am, Monday, August 6, 2018, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, Ohio. He was born September 24, 1932, in Lima, Ohio, to James Galloway and Emma D. (Lusk) Fruchey. They both preceded him in death. On November 2, 2002, he married Bonnie Kay (Watkins) Gillespie, at Shawnee Church of Christ. She survives in Cridersville. Jimmie is also survived by two sons, David Fruchey of Reno, NV and Daniel (Kelly) Fruchey of Santa Rosa, CA; two daughters, Deborah (Robert) Hamaker of Walnut Creek, CA and Tamara "Tammy" Fort of Kent, WA; 20 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren; five step sons, Randy Gillespie of Denver, CO, Rick (Gay) Gillespie of Golden, CO, Robert Gillespie of Jenera, OH, Rod (Teresa) Gillespie of Indio, CA and Roy (Julie) Gillespie of Wapakoneta, OH; three sisters, Maxine Fruchey of Brandon, MS, Denise Stratton of Lima, OH and Anita (Tom) Bogart of Bluffton, Ohio and one brother in-law, Steve Baxter of Columbus Grove, OH. He was preceded in death by his step father, Max Fruchey; son, Mark Fruchey; step daughter, Rebecca Johnson, and sister, Annette Baxter. Jimmie Dale graduated in 1950 from Columbus Grove High School. He was the smallest first string quarterback in Columbus Grove history, weighing in at 98 to 125 lbs. He played football from 1946 -1997. A talented athlete and an accomplished pianist, Jimmie Dale was also an avid reader, especially history, and a student of the Bible. He graduated from Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA with a BA & MA in Criminology, Sociology and Religion. He had also attended USC. Jimmie had taught for seven years as a Professor of Corrections and Sociology. Jimmie Dale served in the US Army Airborne as a 1st Lieutenant during the Korean Conflict. He maxed the US Army physical training test with a perfect 500 while attending Officer Cadet School. After an honorable discharge, Mr. Fruchey worked for and retired in 1982 from the State Department of Corrections, California, as a Regional Administrator of Parole for Northern California. He also worked at Alameda County Probation Department, as a Supervisor from 1984-1989, and then returned to work at the State Department of Corrections from 1989-1997. He worked there for 37 years, during that time he administered the death penalty for then - Governor Ronald Reagan. Jimmie discovered an innocent man on death row at San Quentin while handling 13 murderer's cases. He also discovered three innocent men and handled their pardons for the governor's office as well as administrating clemency for the State of California. In all, Jimmie Dale worked 23 positions in Corrections and two positions in Alameda County as a probation officer. Mr. Fruchey played the piano as a missionary of music for many area nursing homes in the Putnam, Allen and Auglaize counties. He was also a missionary in India with the Church of Christ in 1998. He served as a Lay Minister, Elder and Deacon of the Church of Christ, preaching in the cities of Novato, San Rafael and Chino, CA. He had also been married to Linda Sands the mother of their five children, for 44 years. He was gregarious and never met a stranger. He lived a life of service to his family, church, the elderly, prisoners, parolees, probationers, widows and orphans. He had many close friends. Jimmie Dale loved and was loved. Services will begin at 11:00 am, Friday, August 10, 2018, at Hartman Sons Funeral Home, Columbus Grove, Ohio. Pastor Larry Molaski will officiate with burial to follow at Campbell Cemetery, Columbus Grove. Friends may call from 2:00-4:00 & 6:00-8:00 pm on Thursday, August 9, 2018, at Hartman Sons Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at hartmansonsfuneralhome.com
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