James Joseph Jennie III, of Thornville, Ohio, passed away peacefully and gently on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Known to everyone as J., he was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on October 11, 1958, to James J. Jennie Jr. and Shirley (Bachmann) Jennie. He was a graduate of Worthington High School in Columbus, Ohio and Denison University in Granville, Ohio. He taught kindergarten at Montessori in Newark, Ohio until he decided that he needed to go make some money. He worked for many years as an arborist for Murphy Tree Service and then later as a foreman for Strawser Paving. He was the Maintenance Supervisor for the Village of Thornville for 18 years. J. was also a sales representative for DJL Material and Supply. J. is preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, Melba and James Jennie and Loretta and Charles Bachmann. He is survived by his wife, Mary Jennie; his daughter, Rebekah Jennie (Dave Pullins) of Ward, CO; his granddaughter, Aja Whelan; his brother, Scott (Betsy) Jennie of Medina, Ohio; and many nieces and nephews and “adopted” kids. He loved large and he let everyone he loved know it. J. was a pyrotechnologist. He loved bonfires and fireworks, and he sure enjoyed a lot of both in his lifetime. He was also a huge fan of live music and enjoyed going to concerts. He saw the Grateful Dead many, many times and the band Phish over 100 times. J. was also an accomplished artist and gardener. He grew the best potatoes and tomatoes in the Midwest (according to him). One of his favorite activities was riding roller coasters. He especially loved doing this with his granddaughter, Aja. He also enjoyed kayaking, swimming and water skiing and he loved spending time at Buckeye Lake. J. Jennie was a kind, thoughtful, caring man and if you were lucky enough to know him, then you were lucky enough. He did everything with honesty and integrity. He had a sly sense of humor, loved to play practical jokes and he loved to spend time with family and friends. He will be missed by all. If you would like to make a donation in his honor, please do so at the National Kidney Foundation of Ohio. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.