Willie "James" Larkin, Jr.

Willie James Larkin Jr, affectionately known as Jim, Jimmy, James or Lark, was born November 1,1954 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the eldest of five children born to Willie and Fannie Larkin. Jim graduated from Hughes High School in Cincinnati Public Schools, and attended Miami University, in Oxford Ohio, majoring in architecture. He developed his love for basketball, funk and jazz music during these formative years.

Jim excelled in Construction Management and was a Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) who oversaw multi-million-dollar projects for multi-family, residential, commercial, industrial and heavy highway projects. He left his mark on construction projects at Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority, KBK Enterprises for Skyline Terrance, Indiana University of Pennsylvania and UPMC Hospital System.  He also formed two companies named Giant Construction and J. Larkin & Associates.   

Basketball was his treasured pastime, and he was an active member of the American Old Timers Basketball Organization for over 35 years. He was a founder of the Kenwood Old Timer’s Club in 1994 and played with the Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, and Kenwood Clubs. He was a part of several championship teams with each chapter and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022.

He also took great pleasure fishing, attending jazz festivals, traveling, hosting cook-outs, and watching NBA games and Steeler’s football.  Jim made friends easily with people from all over the world, and made sure to connect with them often.

He believed it was important to reach back to help young people. He supported youth basketball leagues in the summer that provided a safe space for over 600 students and volunteered on a mission trip to lead construction projects at a primary school in South Africa.

Jim married Bernice Coleman in 1983 and from this union was born two daughters – Sherrell and Sharron. He will be remembered as a proud Father who was extremely delighted in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren. 

James would often tell “Dad Jokes” and funny stories about his fishing excursions.  In his final moments, he was teasing his fishing buddies that he was the last to drop line, but the first to catch two fish. A true captain, Jim entered into his eternal rest while on his beloved 27 ft. boat on Lake Erie.

To cherish his memory, James leaves behind two daughters- Sherrell (Jesse) Kuhns and Sharron Larkin, six grandchildren, Shaylin, Donte, Shalom, Graziana “GG”, Messiah, Ahava, his sister LuVonne “Vonnie,” and brother Duane, and nieces Shawna and Ebony.  He also leaves a host of cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.  He was preceded in death by his mother, Fannie Mae, his father Willie, and brothers Floyd and Michael.  

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