James (Jim) C. Metz passed away unexpectedly on the evening of June 19th, 2020 in Warren, OH. Jim was born on January 3rd, 1954 in Weston, West Virginia to Francis “Andy” and Evelyn (Price) Metz. He was the fifth of six children. The Metz family later moved to Garrettsville, OH where Jim was the starting Quarterback for the football team and graduated from James A. Garfield High school in 1972.
While growing up in Garrettsville, OH Jim developed a fervent love for bluegrass and folk music. At the age of 5 he learned to play the guitar, by the age of 12 he was playing the banjo and many other instruments alongside his lifelong friend, Grammy award-winning musician Jerry Douglas.
Jim had a beautiful tenor singing voice and could match pitch and harmony with anyone.
At age 18, Jim followed in the footsteps of his father and began working at the Ohio Turnpike Commission in the maintenance department. He retired 32 years later as an assistant foreman at the Canfield, OH post. Jim was an loyal Ohio sports fan. He married the love of his life, Carolyn on November 17th, 1984 and enjoyed 35 happy yearstogether. When Jim was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrigs Disease, in January of 2017, Carolyn was by his side as a full time caregiver and partner.
Jim was proceded in death by his parents Francis “Andy” and Evelyn Metz of Garrettsville, OH his sister Beverley Guy of Kent, OH and his twin sister Janet Metz of Garrettsville, Oh. Jim is survived by his Siblings: Barbara (Orville) West of Garrettsville, OH; Joseph A Metz of Garrettsville, OH and Peggy (Edward) Gancs of Garrettsville, Oh. Jim leaves behind his four loving children: James Brian (Kimberly) Metz of Madison, AL, JenniferMetz of Newport, TN, Joshua Metz of Warren, OH and Rebecca Metz of Warren, OH. He also leaves behind four grandchildren: Dylan, Raechel, Lucy, and Jedi. He most recently became a great grandfather on June 11th, 2020 to great grandson Gryffin James.
Nothing made Jim more proud or happier than spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.
Jim will surely be missed by his family, friends, and colleagues. Jim found the words of the great Bill Shankley to be most pertinent: “He made the people happy.”
