James H. "Jim" Conrath

James H Conrath (Jim) of Bonita Springs, Florida, passed away Sunday, March 24, 2024, at the age of 85. A long-time resident of Zanesville, Ohio, he was born in Cambridge, Ohio, the son of Carl W and Marguerite (Doughty) Conrath. Jim was a graduate of the Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans High School Class of 1957 where he won the Self-Reliance Award. He had fond memories of his grade school and earlier high school days at St. Benedict’s in Cambridge, Ohio. After high school, Jim worked for Continental Can as a Cost Accountant while he attended the Ohio State University Branch in Zanesville. In 1962, He took an accounting position with North American Aviation in Columbus, Ohio and retired from Rockwell International in1984 after helping facilitate the Rockwell International Missile Systems move to Georgia. Jim proudly served in the US Army from 1960 with an honorable discharge in 1966 and finished up his education at Franklin University. At the early age of ten or eleven, he worked with his two older brothers, Carl and Richard, at their grandfather’s Cambridge Glass barrel-making shop in Cambridge, Ohio. In his teen years, Jim won the Muskingum County Junior Tennis Championship, and he and his brother Richard performed tennis-match exhibitions together. He was known for his sharp wit and memory and could recite all the movies and actors he ever saw. He was a proud Son of The American Revolution, and his love of history started at an early age. He never forgot the story told to him by an elderly customer on his newspaper route. She witnessed the Lincoln funeral train as it passed through Ohio in 1865. Jim left his Zanesville family to marry his wife Helen (Psotto) Conrath of Yonkers, New York, back in 1961. Together they raised four children, James, Jr, (Suzie Welch) Conrath of Jesup, Georgia, Richard Patrick Conrath of Princeton, Illinois (Deceased April 2023), Teresa Conrath (Philip) Sims of Zanesville, Ohio, and John (Libby Herda) Conrath of Pine Island, Florida. He was preceded in death by his brother, Carl W. Conrath and parents, Carl W. Conrath, Sr. and Marguerite (Doughty) Conrath. After Jim’s retirement, he and the family opted to remain in Zanesville, Ohio, where he bought a Dairy Queen, fixed it up, and sold it. He then joined Dunzweiler Realty. Meanwhile, he was business manager at the St. John’s Lutheran Church and served on the Muskingum County Mental Health Board. He was a true entrepreneur, an avid antiques collector, bibliophile (book reader), and eBayer seller. His specialty was restoring antique furniture and houses. The first old home he and wife Helen owned was just six doors away from the birth place of Zane Grey, author of Western novels and stories. At one time, Jim even purchased some antique printing presses and started his own printing business and newspaper. They and their children were all active members of the Zane Trace Players theater group. James is survived by his beloved wife Helen of 63 years, with many thanks to the loving care and assistance of Rosette Darroux of Lehigh. He is also survived by brothers, Richard (Karyn) Conrath of Florida, John Jack (Missy) Conrath of Ohio, and sisters, Jane (Glenn) Conrath Trout Of Florida, Anne (Robert) Conrath Gordon of Florida, and Shirley (Nick) Conrath Madden of Ohio. He is survived by ten grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. (Grandson, Caleb Conrath and Granddaughter, Sidney Sims deceased). A funeral service will be held at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home in Bonita Springs on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at 10:30 AM. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until the time of the service. Burial will follow with Military Honors at Naples Memorial Gardens. Blessing and Memorial will be given by Doctor Richard Conrath. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, Family Owned Since 1978.

James H. "Jim" Conrath

February 17, 1939 - March 24, 2024