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Obituary

A humble and gentle soul, James "Jim" Hornback, 62, of Columbus, Ohio, passed peacefully at home on August 28, 2026, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Anna Maude Hornback; his brother, Paul Hornback; his brothers-in-law, Robert Potvin and Woody Schaeffer; and his father-in-law, Louis Viol. Jim is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Lisa Viol Hornback; his daughter, Natalie (Brice) Schroeder of Worthington, Ohio; his brother, Edward (Paula) Hornback of Dexter, Michigan; his sisters, Marilyn Potvin Hornback of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Peggy Schaeffer of Hilliard, Ohio; his mother-in-law, Giovina Viol of Columbus, Ohio; his sisters-in-law, Jo Hornback of Waverly, Ohio, and Gina Williams of Columbus, Ohio; and his brother-in-law, Louis (Debra) Viol of Brentwood, Tennessee. He is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews, family dogs Gus and Millie, and the one-and-only four-legged granddog, Hank Schroeder.

Jim grew up in Waverly, Ohio, and some of his fondest memories were of time spent on the family farm in Peebles, Ohio. He had a huge heart and was always quick to help a friend or a stranger. Jim was a mechanical engineer who retired from The Ohio State University.

He was a devoted husband and father; he formed a deep bond with Natalie. They especially enjoyed their one-on-one time together, talking while driving to dance classes, piano lessons, and the driving range. Jim was incredibly proud of Natalie and all she accomplished. Jim and Lisa were best friends and soulmates whose life together was filled with love, laughter, and countless cherished memories. His life was enriched by the many wonderful times he shared with family and friends.

As Thomas Edison once said, "Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value." Jim was truly a man of value to all who knew him. He will be forever remembered, deeply loved, and greatly missed.