James D. Narwold

James David Narwold, 78, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Monday, January 12, 2026. He was at his home in Orient, Ohio, surrounded by his wife and children.

James was born on December 26, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the oldest of five children. He graduated from Lane Junior High School and Nathan Hale High School in West Allis, Wisconsin, and received his Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. While attending Wheaton, he enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, later commissioning into the United States Army. He served in the Army Finance Corps from June 1970 to June 1980, earning the rank of Captain, and was awarded several honors, including the Army Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

On August 16, 1979, James married Jaclyn Jean Hinkeldey, and the two remained happily married for 46 years.

After his eldest child, Jonathan, was born, James requested and received an honorable discharge from the Army, returning to Wisconsin to raise his growing family closer to his parents. He pursued a career as a software analyst, highlighting his love of both logic and math, and enjoyed success in his field until a Parkinson’s diagnosis forced an early retirement.

Everyone who knew James witnessed his love for the Lord. His wife Jaclyn referred to him as a “walking concordance”, noting his ability to quickly recall Scripture. Years of diligent Bible memorization and study, coupled with the experiences God gave him, often enabled him to apply just the right piece of biblical wisdom to a situation. He joined the Christian Service Brigade as a young man and was recognized as a Herald of Christ, the highest honor granted by the organization (and one rarely given). He led his family in worship at church and at home and set an example of consistent faithfulness in godly living.

James served the church throughout his life: as a deacon at Harvester Presbyterian Church in Virginia and as a ruling elder at Covenant Reformed Church in New Berlin, Wisconsin.

He is remembered as a loving, patient, gracious, and wise father who poured his heart and soul into raising godly children. His steadfast devotion to God and family was reflected in everything he did, and his influence lives on through his children as they seek to imitate his example.

James ran, with quiet dignity and faith, the challenging race that was set before him. He looked forward joyously to the moment when his Lord and Savior would embrace him at the finish line with the words he so longed to hear: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

We rejoice in knowing that he has been liberated from the shackles of his mortal body and is now free to run, laugh, and sing, no longer held down by the weight of a fallen world. He will be missed tremendously by those he leaves behind, but his legacy lives on in the many lives he impacted. We look forward to the day when we will join him in eternal bliss! 

James was preceded in death by his parents, William and Dorothy Narwold; his father- and mother-in-law, Harlan and Juanita Hinkeldey; his step-father-in-law, Stewart Gustafson; and his brother-in-law, Ken Debelak.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jaclyn Narwold; his children, Jonathan (Ashley) Narwold, Joshua (Caitlin) Narwold, Joanna (Michael) Kaster, Joel (Katie) Narwold; his 13 (soon to be 14) grandchildren, Norah, Jeremiah, James, Ezra, Melody, William, Lincoln, Daniel, Eleanor, Claire, Lily, Tula, Haven, and Maisie; his brother, Tom (Verna) Narwold; his sisters, Bonnie (Les) Bluhm, Patty Debelak, and Lori (Wilson) Kannenberg; his brother-in-law, Dave (Janeen) Hinkeldey; his sister-in-law, Laurie (Mark) Gustafson; his Uncle, Everett (Alice) Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

Family will receive friends from 10:00a.m.-11:00a.m. TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2026 at The Village Church of Columbus, 3750 Sullivant Avenue, Columbus, OH 43228 where his Funeral Service will follow the visitation and begin at 11:00a.m. TUESDAY with Pastor Zack Ruder, officiating.  Jim will be laid to rest at Pleasant Cemetery, Mt. Sterling, Ohio. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ancient Paths Christian Classical School, a ministry of Village Church, Columbus, Ohio (https://www.ancientpathsclassicalacademy.com/donate).

The Porter-Tidd Funeral Home, 331 West Main Street, Mt. Sterling, OH 43143 (740)-869-2777, assisted the family.  Please visit www.portertiddfuneralhome.com to share your favorite memories and to send your condolences to the Narwold Family.