To know Jim was to love him, unless you weren’t in on the joke.
Born on July 7, 1955, Jim grew up in New Jersey, spending summers with his grandparents in Surf City and Pine Camp, body surfing and chasing girls. A brief stint in Texas blossomed into a lifelong obsession with the Dallas Cowboys, a fandom he shared with his daughter Lauren, son Jon, and grandchildren Christian and Calleigh. Jim was also a dedicated New York Rangers fan, a curse he bestowed upon his son Steven and daughter Erica.
After graduating from Ridgewood High School in 1973, Jim went to Lehigh University and was a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, cementing the strong bonds of brotherhood, including among so many others, his best friend “Fitz.” The party room at Pike was also where the stars aligned to bring Lisa into his life. He tried to play it cool, pretending not to be completely gaga for this Bethlehem beauty. But love won quickly; he couldn’t make it a week without her. In his proposal, Jim promised Lisa that life with him would not be boring. And, for nearly 48 years, it wasn’t.
Jim and Lisa raised their four children in Ramsey, NJ, in a house full of love, passion, and music. Sit-down family dinners were non-negotiable, and most nights evolved into family dance parties. A dedicated music lover and vinyl collector, Jim built a treasure trove of records that he played often, creating a soundtrack to his children’s and grandchildren’s lives.
Later in life, Jim and Lisa moved to Pennsylvania to be near his parents, Hal and Dot. Caring for them, especially his mother in her later years, was something Jim took to heart. He was a steadfast, loving son. Jim adored his six grandchildren, who reciprocated with endless hugs, belly laughs, and a vault of inside jokes that they’ll carry with them always.
Jim is survived by his wife, Lisa (Bartholomew); children and their spouses, Erica, Lauren (Curtis Ganster), Steven (Karen), and Jonathan (Rachel); grandchildren, Christian and Calleigh Terrill, Chase Ganster, Morgan and Eleanor Golle, and Lyra Golle; sister, Barb (Bob Fleming); mother-in-law, Gerry Bartholomew; sister and brother-from-another, Kristina and Mike Miller; as well as many other in-laws, nieces and nephews, lifelong friends, and local buddies. Jim is also survived by his beloved cat, Lola.
A visitation will be held on Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Kreamer Funeral Home, 618 E. Main St., Annville, PA 17003.
