Pharmacist was devoted sailor, home remodeler

4/25/2005

BELLEVUE, Ohio - James H. Vogel, a pharmacist here for more than 40 years, died Thursday of a sudden illness at Bellevue Hospital. He was 64.

The family did not know the cause of death, his son Jeff said.

Shortly after he graduated from Duquesne University in 1962, Mr. Vogel joined Vogel's Pharmacy, which his brother David opened in 1961.

Mr. Vogel's father and other brother were doctors.

"He grew up around medicine," his son said. "His father actually had his practice right in the basement of their home."

At the pharmacy, Mr. Vogel enjoyed helping regular customers. He and his brother worked long hours, including evenings and Saturdays.

"They really worked hard to make the pharmacy go," his son said.

Mr. Vogel left the pharmacy in 1971 for a job at Willard Hospital. As pharmacy director, he filled all the orders for medication and IVs for the hospital's patients, his son said.

In the late 1980s, he joined ICP Inc. in Tiffin, a company that provides medicine to institutions like nursing homes and group homes. His son said he often helped out the other pharmacists at ICP when they had questions.

Mr. Vogel was born here Aug. 5, 1940, the youngest of three boys. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1958.

He enjoyed sailing, woodworking, and doing home improvement projects.

He built cradles, headboards, and other furniture for his family, made picture frames, and refinished antique furniture.

"All of our children's homes have numerous items that he built personally," his son said.

Mr. Vogel did many remodeling projects at his own home and helped his children remodel their bathrooms and kitchens. He also built a swing set and tree house.

"He was the king of do-it-yourselfers," his son said.

Mr. Vogel was devoted to his grandchildren and enjoyed attending their sporting events and other activities.

He was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church.

Surviving are his wife of 40 years, Barbara; sons, Jim, Jeff, and Jon; daughters, Wendy Lilly and Tina Davis; brother; David Vogel; and 12 grandchildren.

Services are at 11 a.m. today in Immaculate Conception Church.

The family suggests tributes to the church or the Harmon Field Renovation project to renovate a football field used by the church school.

Foos and Son Funeral Home handled the arrangements.