James "Jim" Eugene Folsom, 78

James Eugene Folsom, 78, of West Portsmouth died Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at OSU Medical Center. Jim was born December 1, 1926 in New Boston to the late James and Grace Jenkins Folsom. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his beloved in-laws Claude and Louella Addis. Jim graduated from Washington High School in 1944 and attended Ohio State University. He worked tirelessly to serve his community and make it a better place in which to live and raise a family. He was a Washington-Nile Local School District Board Member for 16 years; a charter member of the West High School Alumni Scholarship Association; a member of the West High School Band Boosters for 16 years (president for many); and a member of Friendship United Methodist Church for over 50 years serving as trustee for many years. He was a member of Nauvoo Masonic Lodge 769 for 50 years and a World War II Army Veteran. In 1987 Jim retired after serving as a Rural Mail Carrier for almost forty years. During that time Jim covered more the 465,000 miles and was honored in 1985 when the National Safety Council presented him with the Million Mile Club Award for his outstanding performance. He was a member of the Nile Twp over 55 Club, the Ham Radio Club, and the Portsmouth Life Center for many years. Jim was a nature lover, an avid fisherman and turkey hunter, bee keeper, bird watcher, and joke teller.

Jim loved his family and was very proud of his four children and grandchildren. He is survived by his wife, Bernistene Addis Folsom of 56 years; two sons, James "Gail" Addis Folsom, and John Eugene Folsom; two daughters, Becky "Ken" Parks and Jamie "Cass" Benedict; two grandchildren, Whitney and Matthew Folsom; seven step-grandchildren; sister-in-law C'Dora "Ed" Gulick; nieces, Louann "Walt" Gaub and Claudia "Chris" Guilliams; great nephew and niece Owen and Addie Guilliams; dear cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held 1 P.M. Monday, April 11, 2005 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Reverend Matthew Brooks officiating and interment in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call at the Funeral Home from 2 to 8 P.M. on Sunday and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to Friendship United Methodist Women's Group II Scholarship Fund c/o C'Dora Gulick, P.O. Box 244, Friendship, OH 45630 or Portsmouth West Alumni Scholarship Fund (for James E. Folsom) c/o Christy Erwin, 670 Carey's Run-Pond Creek Rd., West Portsmouth OH 45663. Masonic services will be held by Nauvoo Masonic Lodge at 8 P.M. Sunday. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com