James O. Edmunds, age 93, formerly of Canton, passed away Thursday afternoon November 16, 2017 at Sunrise of John's Creek in Georgia. He was born in Canton on June 24, 1924 to the late Oliver C. and Mary Ann (Woolley) Edmunds. James was a 1942 graduate of McKinley High School. He married Grace Kendall on April 11, 1947.

Jim had a strong work ethic. After high school classes, he worked at Red's Gas Station at 11th Street S.W. Red often complimented him for always giving the correct change to customers and for always having the cash drawer balanced.

After graduating from high school, and prior to entering the army, Jim worked at Timken's and at Republic Steel.

In 1944, he started working at the Poore & Company as an apprentice diesinker. In 1949, after being temporarily laid off at the Poore & Company, Jim started working as a diesinker at the Ford Motor Company's Canton Plant. He was employed by Ford for 35 years and retired in 1984 as a general foreman in the Tool & Die Department.

After retiring, Jim and Grace travelled throughout the United States and Europe. They usually spent at least a month each winter in Sarasota.

Jim was a member of the former St. Paul's United Methodist Church which was later absorbed by the Cross Roads United Methodist Church.

He was a member of the Masons for 70 years. Jim had a membership in Fidelity Lodge 712 prior to its being merged into Wm. McKinley Lodge No. 431, F & AM. He was a member of the Scottish Rite for 63 years and of the Shrine. Jim participated in Shrine activities with the Royal Order of Jesters and Stewards.

He was preceded in death, after 59 years of marriage, by his wife Grace on August 18, 2006; an infant brother, Richard; and an infant great grandson Austin. Jim is survived by: his son J. Timothy Edmunds of Brunswick and Canton; daughters and sons-in-law Deborah and Paul Gammill of Crofton, MD, Sue Ellen and Richard Menhorn of Suwanee, GA; grandchildren Jane Chaplin (John), Jim, Tom, Bill (Melissa) and Julia Edmunds, Erin (John) Dahl, Megan Gammill and Steven Menhorn; and Great-grandchildren Felicity, Joy, Andrew, and Asher Chaplin; and Alyssa and Kyle Edmunds. Friends may call Saturday 11:00-11:45 a.m. at Arnold Funeral Home Canton. A Masonic service will be Saturday 11:45 a.m. and a funeral service will be Saturday at 12:00 noon at the funeral home with Rev. Jeff Conley officiating. Final resting place is Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Scottish Rite Valley of Canton designated for the maintenance and improvement of the Canton Masonic Temple.

Arnold Canton 330-456-7291

www.arnoldfuneralhome.com