James Verle Lash II, “Jimmy”, 67 years old, was born in Akron Ohio to James Verle Lash Sr. and Thelma Elizabeth Lash on November 12, 1951. He attended Akron Public Schools and graduated from Garfield High School in 1969. He attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois on a football scholarship and was an All-Big Ten selection as a senior at Northwestern.
Jimmy graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education and received recognition for his achievements and training in teaching at Northwestern University. He was drafted into the National Football League (NFL) in 1973; upon completing his education and played professional football for five years. A former American football wide receiver in the NFL in the 1970s and played on three Super Bowl Teams.
Jimmy played for the Minnesota Vikings for four seasons and concluded his career playing for the San Francisco 49ers. During his professional football career, he played in Super Bowl VIII in 1974 and Super Bowl IX in 1975, all coming up a bit short against dynasty teams, the Miami Dolphins, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders.
Jimmy was inducted in the Ohio Summit County Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. Upon retirement, Jimmy developed an interest in house rehabilitation that was sparked while being mentored in construction during his summer breaks in college.
He continued to refine his skills and developed his business as a contractor. He also cultivated an interest and hobby in coaching girl’s baseball leagues in the Akron community. Other interests include gardening and landscaping, and tracking football and basketball games on TV.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents, James Verle Lash Sr. and Thelma Lash; and brothers Westley Steven Lash and Adrian Keith Lash.
Left to mourn his loss are his 5 children, Lachelle R. Lash of Sacramento, California; Devonte Lash of St. Louis Missouri, Demetrius Lash, Charisma Lash and Diamond Lash of Akron Ohio.
Last but not least, left to mourn his loss are his siblings, Malcolm Cranston Lash Sr. of Akron, Ohio, Daryl Vincent Lash of Capitol Heights, Maryland and Dr. Sharon Lash of Moline, Illinois, his aunts Janet and Mildred Lash, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and many others.