James Probala

The adventure has ended. Jim is survived by his wife Joan of 49 years, His daughters Julie Goco from Clemmons, North Carolina, Jennifer VanGorder from Hong Kong and Jeanna Wenger from Bend Oregon, son Jason Probala from Indianapolis and 8 beautiful grandkids. Jim grew up on a farm in Eaton Ohio and learned very quickly that working hard brought great results. He learned the importance of helping others and carried that virtue though out his life. He was always willing to help build a deck, fix a computer or provide assistance any way he could. Jim graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with an engineering degree and went on to get his Master’s Degree from the University of Cincinnati. He loved space and technology and satisfied that interest with years working to launch rockets and working on satellite communications at Boeing. He loved creating things with his hands and satisfied that interest by building and renovating homes. Each home was special to him and he made sure that the each new owner knew that they were getting a quality built home.
He could analyze any problem and offer solutions and fix anything that was broken without reading any directions. He was the ultimate engineer.
He was the glue that held our family together.  He always found humor in any situation. He made us laugh at ourselves and gave us many opportunities to laugh at and with him.   The family card games will never be the same, but we will continue to play his favorite game of Spades and we will remember the jokes and the silly stories.  You will always be our partner.Jim thought of his life as an adventure and lived every moment like he was on one. His greatest adventure, perhaps, was his entrance into the world of adventure racing. He loved to bike, he loved the challenge and especially the comradery of the other racers. Jim was a nonstop Mountain Dew drinker.  When he asked, Abby, Dereck, Kelley and Rod to form a team, he appropriately named the team the Dew Overs.He might have been the oldest racer, but he was the most determined, the most focused and the most willing to laugh at himself.  He was always excited to tell everyone he came in first in his division even if his team was the only one in the age group.  The team was recognized throughout the racing community, but Jim was definitely the team leader.  One adventure has ended and another has begun.  Keep the laughter going!  Funeral services for James will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, Oct. 12, 2018 at Lindloff-Zimmerman Funeral Home, West Alexandria, OH.  Burial will be in Twin Valley Cemetery, Enterprise Rd., near Gratis, OH.  For condolences: www.lindloffzimmerman.com