Condolences
Memories & condolences from visitors
Jim was one of my favorite Columbus people. I always enjoyed visiting him and talking about The Arnold and other news of the day. He always was a wonderful host and made me feel so welcome and appreciated.
I will miss Jim very much. May God Bless the Lorimer Family.
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
I went to Arnold Classic for the first time in 2014, when I had the opportunity to listen to Jim Lorimer in a meeting for the first time, as well. In another occasion I was together with Arnold Classic representatives from other places in the world and Jim gave attention to all of them.
He was interested in those people, in the situation of their countries, and he knew beforehand what each of them were going through. In few minutes Jim taught us about humanity, kindness and respect to different cultures, because he was used to dealing with people from several countries due to his magnificent projects. He fulfilled us with love for what we were living at that moment and gratitude for being able to take part in such a great thing he had idealized. A history that would last until the end of his life and that I will take with me through my whole life started right there.
In 2015 Jim Lorimer and Bob gave me the opportunity to work in the office. Bob hosted me in his home for a couple of months. I was immersed and could learn from him each day, right before Arnold Classic USA. I realized how we are the ones who set limits because Jim was brave, intelligent and kind with everyone. I have always admired his vitality. We went through a lot of moments together.
I will be always really grateful for the whole Lorimer family.
Before there was the Mr. Universe contest, before there was Title IX, and before there was the Arnold Expo, there was the Ohio Track Club. Jim Lorimer had a vision that young girls could be fit and compete at the highest levels on the world stage. In 1959 he formed a girls’ track team and gave a few young women the opportunity of a lifetime. Those of us on the Ohio Track Club will be forever grateful for his vision and his unwavering support.
His importance in our young lives was phenomenal. The fabulous memories of the Ohio Track Club days come flooding back. Among those memories are the fairness, kindness, and fellowship he instilled in all of us. Those lessons have stuck, and most of us have stayed in contact throughout more than 60 years, bound together by the fabulous Ohio Track Club reunions and by the friendships forged in those pioneering days before sports were universally available for girls and women.
His special kindness—everything he did for us, both large and small—has been a gift that we have carried throughout our lives. He was in so many ways a surrogate father for many of us, dispensing wise advice, the ever-present positive attitude, the absolute friendship. He will be in our hearts and minds forever.
Mr. Lorimer was partially responsible for putting together one of the absolute biggest annual weekend events in the world. The Arnold Sports Festival has been a huge highlight for my family and I for many years.
Thank you for helping us create so many incredible lifelong memories, and for all of your contributions to this world.
My thoughts are with the Lorimer family and friends.
I remember Jim as a mentor at Nationwide Insurance. He cared about fitness and young people. He always had our best interest in mind. The first picture is from my 2nd place finish, and overall team win with Nationwide Ins. at the Y’s Corporate Challenge. The other picture was reconnecting with Jim at the unveiling of Arnold’s Statue.
It wasn’t until later I found out what he had done for the ladies of the U.S. Track and Field. Amazing man of character.
I’m glad he left a legacy of people, (especially his family) who hold onto those values.
The bodybuilding community is mourning the passing of Jim Lorimer
One of the greatest personalities in the sport history
To him we owe the foundation of the Arnold sports festival
He was a pioneer and trailblazer
Enormous depth of knowledge in regards to the sport
He was a father figure and a mentor to many
His advice and experience have been valuable for all
Never forgotten
Condolences to his son Bob Lorimer
Rest in or peace
Jim Lorimer was one of the most humble and amazing people to know. I loved talking to him at World Gym when I worked there and personally knowing him!
He loved fitness and it was great to see him work out and I appreciate all he contributed to the sporting world and Columbus Ohio.
Jim, you will be missed!
Jim Lorimer — one of the finest people on the face of the Earth. Now in Heaven with his beautiful wife Jean.
Jim was a friend and advisor to me whom I sought to emulate. He was one of the few people that I got advice from. I’m thankful and will always cherish the many people Jim introduced me to over the years.
Jim leaves behind a legacy of doing some amazing things to uplift the City of Columbus. He raised a wonderful family, ran the largest sports event in the world, helped make Arnold a national figure, worked 96 years, and never had an enemy.
Thank you Jim for all you did for Brigette and I. We are forever grateful. The security team also thanks you for all the support and leadership over the years.
We will cherish all the memories.
Hugs and love to the Lorimer family.
I had the distinct pleasure to work with Jim when he and Arnold created the Classic in 1989 as part of the initial security detail, headed by Jim’s good friend, Doug Grant. At that point, I had returned to active duty, but when the New Year beckoned, I was ready for whatever assignment Jim and Arnold had in store for me. Working with Jim and Jean each year was an absolute pleasure. They made a great team, but an even greater couple.
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
Jim Lorimer will live forever through the millions of people he inspired to join our fitness crusade and tune into this little niche sport called bodybuilding.
I am devastated that I won’t sit with him again and hear his wisdom, or critique bodybuilders together, or just laugh and laugh. My thoughts are with Bob, Kathy, Jeff, and the whole Lorimer family, but I also know that Jim isn’t gone.
Jim lives on in every member of his family, and he lives on in me. He’s one reason I would never call myself self-made. When I met him 52 years ago at the Mr. World bodybuilding championship he organized so fantastically in Columbus, Ohio, I immediately knew Jim would be a big part of my life. I told him when I retired from competing, we would be partners and promote bodybuilding together. And starting in 1976, we did just that with a handshake agreement for more than 50 years, expanding from a small bodybuilding show to a sports festival with 200,000 visitors and more athletes than the Olympics, while we branched out from Ohio to inspire people on every continent except Antarctica. When I was appointed the Chairman of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports by President Bush in 1990, I knew that I needed Jim by my side, and boy, was I right. He helped make the impossible possible with his brilliant legal mind when we worked with all of the federal agencies and hundreds of bureaucrats to organize the Great American Workout on the White House lawn.
Jim also lives on in every single person he inspired to live a healthier life. Some people assume Jim started promoting sports with me – that couldn’t be further from the truth. His sports and fitness crusade started much earlier, when he was lifting up women’s track and field. In the 50’s and 60’s, when promoting women’s sports wasn’t as popular as it is now, Jim was a pioneer. He founded the Ohio Track Club woman’s team, and then he became the chair of the US Olympic Committee for Women’s Sports. In between his jobs as an FBI agent and an executive at Nationwide Insurance, he helped turn around our Olympic team so we could start beating the Russians. He became so legendary for his promotion of sports that he was asked to host the 1970 World Weightlifting Championships.
He decided to host the Mr. World competition to sell more tickets, and the rest is history. To Jim, the Mr. World was just a way to pack the theater, but to me, winning that title changed my life. I beat Sergio Oliva for the first time, and I saw how well Jim treated the athletes and made the commitment then and there to work together to elevate the sport of bodybuilding. It was one of those magical moments, and it was destiny that we met, but it was Jim’s fanatical commitment to sports and fitness that laid the foundation for our fate.
I will miss his wisdom, I will miss his mentorship, I will miss his kind, kind heart. I will miss his sense of humor and his desire to make the world a better place and his friendship. But Jim will always be with me. He helped make me who I am. He’ll always be with all of us.
So while I grieve today, I will also remember how lucky I was – how lucky the world was – to have so much of this wonderful man’s time. This Thanksgiving, I remember Jim Lorimer, and I am so, so grateful he was such a big part of my life.
Thank you, Jim.
(Shared from Arnold’s post on Instagram)
We met Jim in 2008 at my first Arnold Classic in Columbus. Jim is an extraordinary man. I will never forget his support and love for Fitness! Thank you for everything you have done for our sport! We will miss you!
Our deepest sympathy to Bob and the entire Lorimer family during this difficult time.
We always enjoyed his friendship and the interesting conversations we had with Jim.
I met Jim Lorimer at the World Gym in Worthington, Ohio. I became a Professional bodybuilder while working out at his Gym.
Jim was always pleasant to everyone. I would always see him talking to people even though he was also very quiet. One thing that I remember is, when he would walk by me, he always would shake his head and wave his hand at me.
We didn’t talk much but his smile said everything. He was a humble, unique person that made a difference in many people’s lives, including mine!
He will be remembered always!
God Bless ❤️🙏
Going to miss you my godfather.
You were the most amazing human being on this planet.
Thanks you so much for everything you did in your life.
RIP my amazing brother and a mentor.
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
Jim, thank you for always being so gracious with your time when we chatted and inspiring me about the importance of family, giving back and being of service to others. God bless you and your beautiful bride in heaven.
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
Jim was one of the original good guys. He and wife Jean were the first to stop by my going away party, when I left the area for DC . He put myself, Doug Grant (his lifelong friend) Al Judy and Larry Winters in charge of protection at the Arnold Classic. RIH my friend. Prayers to the Both your families and you know what I mean!
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
All his long life Jim loved what he was doing in so many areas, always putting people first.
Jim gave the word Gentleman its full meaning and he was, by all means, a GREAT MAN.
Personally he made my life more meaningful. Forever I‘m thankful for his friendship since 1976.
What Jim achieved within our beloved world of fitness will carve his name forever in stone.
When people usually retire Jim startet at age 63 with his friend and partner Arnold Schwarzenegger anew what became his legacy — the ARNOLD SORTS FESTIVAL. THANK YOU JIM.
In these moments a quote of Shakespeare comes into my mind: “May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
James Lorimer you will truly be missed more than you would have ever known! The hearts we have will hold you near and dear with us forever! The lives you have touched with your support and knowledge will always keep memories of you inside all of us!
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
I have known Jim since 1978 from volunteering with that Mr Olympia contest thru the event in 2022. He created the Nationwide Insurance Employee Fitness Center and brought the World Gyms to central Ohio. Over 18 years I was privileged to operate these centers as a manager and co-owner. He gave all of us his energy, wisdom, kindness and guidance. An amazing gentleman who inspires us and will live on through us. He is loved.
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
Thank you Lorimer family for sharing Jim with all of us all these years. He is the finest example of a great leader, humble, focused, generous, passionate and sincere. I am grateful for the opportunity to spend time with Jim and cherished his friendship. His legacy lives on through all of you as his accomplishments are many, but his greatest is his incredible family.
(Shared from the Schoedinger Worthington website)
May God grand you eternal peace. I will never forget you and the kindness you always showed me 🙏❤️
Email may be sent to the Family at this address:
U.S. Mail may be sent to the Family at this address:
Lorimer Family
27 Kim Court E.
Westerville, Ohio 43081