James Gaede Obituary (1940 – 2021) – Cincinnati, OH

James “Jim” Gaede

Cincinnati – James “Jim” Gaede died peacefully on Memorial Day, May 31, after a long battle with ALS. His battle with ALS showed his courage to face life’s challenges with a smile and dignity. Despite the pain, Jim came out a hero and stayed strong until the end. Jim was born on March 13, 1940 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1958 and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1962, where he was chief announcer at the WSND and president of the Cincinnati Club. After graduating from Notre Dame, he served as a lieutenant in the US Army. Jim leaves behind his wife Patricia “Patti” Bedford Roberts Gaede and his children Tracy Gaede Niehaus, Todd (Annie) Gaede, Scott Gaede and Chris Gaede, his stepson Bill (Amy) Roberts and 6 grandchildren, Cameron, Brennan, Charlie, Rachel, Caroline and Quinn. He is also supported by his sister Shirley Gaede Speaks and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ted and MaryLou Bedford and nieces and nephews Jeff (Elyse) Speaks, Megan (Tom) Anderson, Whitney Bedford (Barton Janeke) and Evan Bedford. He was preceded by his parents, Bernard and Helen Gaede, his brother-in-law Joseph Speaks and his first wife Sarah “Sally” Ryan Gaede in death. In 1964, Jim began his career at WANE Radio before moving to WLYV Radio, both in Fort Wayne, IN. A job at WUBE Radio brought him back to Cincinnati, his hometown. From there he moved to the sales department of WLW Radio as an account executive. In 1968 he moved to a similar position at WKRC Radio. On September 1, 1970, Jim accepted a position with Arthur Frey Associates as a manufacturing representative for several lines of office furniture and appliances. Over the next fifty years, Jim was instrumental in growing the company from its origins as a regional sales force to a larger part of a national entity. The company was renamed Frey Gaede & Company when it began to expand its geographic presence. From 1999 to 2008, Jim played a major role in the company’s acquisition of four peer rep groups that expanded the Frey Gaede area to 25 states. In 2011, Jim was part of the owners team that formed Harbinger National, a national representation of manufacturers. Jim has served on various industry boards and boards throughout his career, most notably as President of the Office Products Representative Alliance (OPRA) from 1993-1995. Jim has also received numerous industry awards throughout his career. He was the proudest of two received with longtime business partner John Frey, Sr.: the 2016 Leadership Award from the Business Solutions Association – For Excellence In The Business and Office Products Industry and the 2019 Founder’s Distinguished Service Award from Fellowes Brands. Jim volunteered for many years with the Cincinnati Association for the Blind, providing health radio reading services, and as a volunteer with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cincinnati. Jim was an avid golfer, over the years he has been a member of Hyde Park Golf and Country Club, The Camargo Club, and Orchid Island Golf and Beach Club in Vero Beach, FL. As part of his commitment to giving back, Jim also held many board positions for Orchid Island, including serving as its chairman from 2017-2019. Jim was extremely proud of his family and is greatly missed by Patti, his children, grandchildren and sister. The family welcomes visitors to the Geo on Friday, June 4th, from 4-7pm. H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home, 3183 Linwood Ave., 45208. A Christian funeral mass will be celebrated for the family on Saturday, June 5th at 12 noon at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 2501 Riverside Dr., 45202 voiced www.rohdefuneral.com. The family suggests making donations to some of the following places Jim cares about: The ALS Association Central and Southern Ohio Chapter, 1170 Old Henderson Rd., Suite 221, Columbus, OH 43220, www.alsohio.org, or, Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 2045 Gilbert Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45202, www.cincyblind.org.

Posted in The Cincinnati Enquirer June 2-3, 2021.