James Richard Ohlin

Ohlin, James Richard age 75, passed away on Wednesday, August 5th 2009. Jim was found lying peacefully in his recliner with Dolly, his beloved Chihuahua, by his side. Never without a joke, Jim was appropriately born on April 1st 1934, Easter Sunday, in Holyoke, MA. After graduating high school he joined the Air Force and married Connie Bain. They were then stationed in Germany for the next four years. While in Germany Jim became a 3rd degree Master Mason. Upon his Honorable Discharge, Jim and Connie returned to the U.S. with their daughter Laurie. While studying Engineering at UMass, they had two more children, James Jr. and Kirsten. Two years later, while working for GE in Alaska, their 4th child, Karla was born, followed by their 5th child, Erik. Jim brought the family back to MA in 1969 and began work with Honeywell. In 1974, he was transferred to Phoenix, AZ, where he joined the Phoenician’s Barbershop Chorus and was a dedicated member for the last 33 years. In 1995 he married his loving wife Betty Becker-Ohlin and together they have been blessed with 24 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. Jim played an important role in all family celebrations by taking pictures and telling jokes. He enjoyed flying his Cessna, his Mac computers, but mostly his family. Visitation will take place Tuesday, Aug 11th from 5-8 pm at Hansen Mortuary at 8314 N. 7th St. Phoenix. A celebration of his life will be held at 9 am on Wednesday, Aug 12th at Peace Lutheran Church 18265 N. 89th Ave. Peoria. Interment will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of AZ, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to: "Spirit of Phoenix" Chorus at P. O. Box 62091 Phoenix, AZ 85082.

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