James K. Highlands

TWINSBURG - James K. Highlands, 83, passed away peacefully in his sleep March 7, 2026, at Maplewood Senior Living.

A son of the late Carlyle “Cullie” and Lois Highlands, he was born August 16, 1942, in Toledo, Ohio. He went on to attend the University of Toledo, majoring in Business Administration. He started his lifelong career in retail management, starting in 1969 with FW Woolworth and retired from Radio Shack.

Jim was a U.S. Army veteran, having served his country during the Vietnam War. During his time in the military, he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal.

Jim spent ten years as the president of the Corsair Model Aircraft Club. When not flying his plane, Jim was grilling hot dogs and keeping soft drinks cold at the fly-ins. He was an avid fan of both The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns football. In his younger days, Jim enjoyed spending time on his boat.

Jim and his wife, Jean, raised and showed Great Danes and were very active members of the Great Dane Club of Cleveland and the Ravenna Kennel Club. He enjoyed a good cigar while listening to easy music on the patio porch, surrounded by flowers and hanging baskets, which he planted with Jean.

Preceded in death by his parents; wife of 56 years, Jean Highlands, and his sister, Mooreen Brumback. He is survived by his sister, Diane Jagielski; nephews, Todd Jagielski, Jim Russell, Jeff Russell, and Dan Carter; nieces, Lisa Bell, Lorie Czlapinski, Pamela Gartman, Sandra Nelms, and Deborah Brumback; many great-nieces and nephews, as well as his sisters-in-law, Joyce Brenneman and Joanne Carter.

Friends may call 2 - 4 PM, Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, 44224.

Private burial service, with military honors, will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery in Lima, Ohio, where he will be laid to rest beside his wife, Jean, and Great Dane, Belle.

The family would like to extend their appreciation to Rebecca Lichtenberg, Senior Executive Director of Maplewood Twinsburg, and the staff, for their special care and concern for Jim.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to the Great Dane Club of America Charitable Trust, 12631 West Martingale Lane, Homer Glen, IL 60491-9278.