James "Jim" Alfred "Wally" Waymer

James (Jim) Alfred “Wally” Waymer died under hospice care at 12:44 PM Wednesday, April 19, 2023 at the Oaks at Northpointe. He was born on December 17, 1944, in Dayton, Ohio to Jess and Marie (Anderson) Waymer. In 1958, at the age of 14 he moved with the family to Morgan County, Ohio where they settled on a farm north of Malta on the Muskingum River.
Jim graduated from Malta-McConnelsville High School in the class of 1962, and subsequently graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. While at Case, he befriended his life-long friends Mike, James, Rob, Joe, and Paul who annually got together to celebrate their friendship.
Jim returned to the Muskingum Valley after college to work in the power industry with Ohio Power. He worked for two years at the Philo Power Plant, then three more at the Muskingum River Power Plant in Beverly, Ohio with progressive supervisory and management positions.
With Jim’s knowledge and talent, he was promoted to the Ohio Power corporate offices in Canton, Ohio in the late 70’s and early 80’s, boosting his career to become assistant to the president and later, assistant Plant Manager at the Kammer-Mitchell Power Plant in Moundsville, West Virginia and then the Plant Manager at the Conesville Power Plant in Conesville, Ohio. During Jim’s time in Canton as a busy working adult with a family, he earned his MBA from Kent State University.
He eventually left the power industry and returned to his home county and was elected as the Morgan County Engineer from 1986 to 1992, where, notably, he renovated the Veterans Memorial Bridge, the “Old Bridge.”
After elected office, he returned to the private sector and secured a position with the famous basket-maker, Longaberger, and was instrumental in building “The Basket Building” in Newark, Ohio.
Jim finished his career by returning to public service once again as the Mid-East Ohio Building Department, Chief Building Official based in Zanesville, Ohio.
He enjoyed serving the community in such roles as: President of Kiwanis in McConnelsville, Ohio; Officer for Dillon Area Advisory Council; Member of Jaycees; President of his homeowners association; Chairman of Southeast Ohio County Engineers and County Commissioners Organization; Village Councilman of McConnelsville, Ohio. Jim was also an avid Columbus Blue Jackets fan as a season ticket holder from their inaugural season.
Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Cynthia (Tuttle) Waymer and two sons, Zach Waymer of Chicago, and Jason Waymer of Louisville, Kentucky from his first wife Carol (Ervin) Drake of McConnelsville.
There will be no public visitation or funeral service at this time, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made in Jim’s name to the Animal Shelter Society, Inc. https://www.animalsheltersociety.org/donate
The Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home, 2318 Maple Ave. Zanesville is in charge of the arrangements. To share memories and condolences with Jim’s family please click on the Tribute Wall tab on this page.

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