James P. Vanderground

James Philip Vanderground, 76, went home to be with his heavenly Father on September 26, 2021. Jim was a kind, generous man, known for always helping his family, friends and neighbors.

He was born on July 13, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of William Herman Vanderground and Elizabeth Anne Barrett Vanderground. His parents were missionaries in the Central African Republic. He traveled there with them there at six months of age and lived there for the first 12 years of his life. It was there that he trusted Jesus as his Savior. He had great memories of Africa, sharing stories with his kids and grandkids about his pet monkey Jocko, dog Trixie and his many encounters with elephants, buffalos, antelopes, snakes, and scorpions.

Jim returned to the U.S. and graduated from Warrenville Heights high school in 1965. He went on to attend Cedarville College for two years. Following that, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1968 and served as a shipfitter on the USS San Diego (AFS-6), a resupply ship, during the Vietnam War. As such, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and was honorably discharged in 1972 with the rank of Seaman 2nd Class (HT2). Following his service, Jim used his GI Bill and continued to hone his welding skills at the Cleveland Welding School. He went on to a career as a pipe welder, specializing in mig, tig and arc welding with the Lubrizol Corporation at their Painesville plant.

Jim married Ruth (Damaris) Dunn in 1973 after the two met at a singles group at Cedar Hill Baptist Church. They were married for 47 years before she passed away in September 2020. Together, they were members of Nottingham Baptist Church, First Baptist Church of Willowick and finally Willo-Hill Baptist Church. At Nottingham Baptist Church, Jim served in Awana, a youth discipleship program, and as a member of the Missionary Committee. After retiring from welding, he volunteered full-time at Willo-Hill Christian School where Ruth taught in the elementary.

Jim’s favorite Bible passage was II Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” And his favorite hymn was Trust and Obey which served as a reminder for relying on Jesus and following his example for living.

Surviving are his son, Jason Vanderground of Grand Rapids, Michigan; daughter, Rebecca Karageorge of Portland, Oregon; and four grandsons, Harrison, Simon, Oliver and Casey. He also loved Sophie and Teddy who became “adopted” grandchildren. His brothers Dave, Ken and Jerry cared for and loved him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Betty Lou.

A private remembrance service will be held Davis-Babcock Funeral Home in Willoughby, Ohio followed by a private burial at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Seville, Ohio. Those who wish to remember James in a special way may donate to Baptist Mid-Missions at bmm.org/give.