James Chiero

James (Jim) Alan Chiero, also known as “Jimmy” by friends and family, was born on

October 14, 1949 in Columbus, Ohio. He grew up on Columbus’ west side beginning his

sports career in grade school as a quarterback in the Hilltop League coached by his Dad,

Vincent Chiero. He attended Franklin Heights High School where he was a multi-sport

athlete excelling in football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, and cross country. Jim graduated

in 1967 with academic strengths in math and English.

Jim attended college at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, West Virginia, playing on the

Fighting Falcons when they won small college National Championship in 1968. He played

multi-sport intramural and was a member of the Sigma Delta Psi fraternity. He graduated with

a degree in Speech.

Back home in Columbus Jim was a stellar athlete in the competitive environment of Greenlawn

Softball and adult touch-football leagues. Sought after as a power hitter Jim was recruited by

multiple teams to add to their roster. DuBois Chemical counted on him to stay in the Top-10 of

nationally ranked softball teams and Jim was a key player when DuBois came in 3rd in the

National Men’s Softball Tournament in Jacksonville, Florida. Today his abilities are enshrined at

Greenlawn in a Memorial to Hall of Fame players into which he was inducted in 1998. He is

also an inductee of the Touch Football Hall of Fame.

In 1985 Jim left Ohio to attend Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he earned

his Masters Degree in Communication in 1987. In Virginia Beach he met and married Kathy

(Bullock) Greenzalis. They moved back to Ohio and had three children Jordan Andrew (1990),

Lindsay Leigh (1991) and Christian Alan (1994).

This period began Jim’s most enjoyable and passionate pursuit to date: the raising, loving, and

coaching his three children in their various sport pursuits. Jim coached Jordan and Christian’s

Community football teams and Jordan, Lindsay, and Christian’s youth baseball leagues. As his

kids excelled in their athletic abilities, Jim became the coach of their respective travel baseball

teams and was an enthusiastic supporter of Lindsays basketball and volleyball pursuits.

Jim used his athletic skill and administrative abilities to take the Gahanna, Ohio Parks and

Recreation Football league from a failing, debt-ridden venture slated to be removed from the

Parks and Recreation roster to a thriving 36-team community treasure. As a volunteer he

raised and managed the finances of the league to the point that all debts were paid off, new

equipment was purchased and buildings built to store and maintain the quality of the league.

When land was donated to the City of Gahanna for football fields, Jim organized and raised

money to put on that donated land three lighted football fields complete with stands, a press

box, concessions, a sponsored and lighted scoreboard, and paved parking. His efforts were

rewarded by the Mayor of the Gahanna when he was named Gahanna’s Volunteer of the Year

in 2001. More importantly, he became “Coach”, 2nd dad, and mentor to hundreds of young

boys and girls who are now young men and women grieving his loss along with us.

As his children grew Jim never stopped supporting, loving, and cheering his kids in all of their

life choices. He enjoyed card nights with his boys until days before his death, and broke out

great dance moves at Lindsay’s wedding in 2021. He lived long enough to hold his first two

grandchildren, Cora and Silas, both born in 2022. His greatest joy was spending time with

them and his legacy is three amazing adults who honor their father and greatly grieve his

passing.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Vincent L and Creda L Chiero and brother-in-law Larry

Fitzpatrick, Uncle MacKemmey (Junior) Gorby, beloved Aunt Josephine and Uncle Bud. He is

survived by his children Jordan (Haley) Chiero, Lindsay (Ben) Juchau, and Christian (Harmony)

Chiero, grandchildren Cora Kathleen Chiero and Silas Austin Juchau, Brother Gary L (Kathy)

Chiero, Sister Susan M. Mahone, and dozens of much-loved nieces and nephews. Jim loved

his West Virginia Uncles and Aunts even though they rigged all the sports at the family

reunions: Kenneth (Nancy) Gorby, Jamie (Barbara) Gorby, and Roger Gorby.

In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor Jim’s memory may do so by contributing to the

futures of Franklin Heights Falcon athletes. Contributions in Jim’s Memory may be mailed to

the Athletic Director Brock Mullins at Franklin Heights High School, 1001 Demorest Road,

Columbus OH 43204