James Burich

James Burich, 90, of Fairlawn, passed peacefully to be with his Lord and Savior September 27, 2018.

He was born in Akron to the late George and Josephine (Herceg) Burich. Jim attended Buchtel High School and the University of Akron while working for Goodyear Aerospace where he was recruited in 1944 to aid in our civilian World War II effort. There he met his future wife, Roberta Mae (Bolin) Burich. They were married at Goss Memorial Church in 1948. They recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

He is survived by his wife; children, Michael (Karen) Burich, Rosalie Ballway and Kenneth Burich; loving grandchildren, Michael and Barbara Ballway; sister, Lee McDowell; sisters-in-law, Doris Pape and Janet Knafel; and numerous nephews, nieces and great grandchildren.

He rose quickly up the ranks at Goodyear Aerospace becoming head of the Technical Writing and Presentation Division. In 1950 he was the first to be presented with the prestigious P.W. Litchfield Gold Medal Award of Merit. When Loral Defense Systems Akron, a division of New York Defense Contractor, merged he represented them as elected National Chairman of Aerospace Industries Association, an organization of over 100 executives of aerospace publication departments. He continued his career with Loral (now part of Lockheed Martin) where he attained the position of Director of Product Support Engineering Division. When he retired in 1990 after 46 years, he held a record of 28 years without missing a day of work for illness since 1962. Despite all this hard work, he still had time for his loving family taking them on trips in and out of country. He also coached Little League Baseball for many years despite his heavy schedule.

A memorial service will be held 4 p.m. Monday at the Billow Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Akron 44333, where friends may call 1 hour before services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, 190 S. Maple St., Akron 44302. To share a Memory, Send a Condolence or Light a Candle, visit the Tribute Wall at www.billowfuneralhomes.com (Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel)