Obituary of Jim Siens

World War II Veteran and Wilson County Resident Dies at age 99

James Hollis Siens  9/26/1924 – 12/30/2023

James (Jim) Hollis Siens was born in Dayton, OH on Sept. 26, 1924.  Mr. Siens was a WWII veteran who proudly served in the US Marine Corps in the pacific fleet, in the Marshall Islands and Marianas Islands.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Leonard Siens and Pearl McCrosson Siens, his brother Gene Siens, and his wife of 60 years, Dorthey (Dot) Ritter Siens.  He is survived by his daughter Darlene Rybolt (husband Tom) of Canton, GA, son Jimmy Siens (wife Felicia) of Loganville, GA , son Timothy C. Siens (wife Sue) of Lebanon, TN, and daughter Tina Gammell (husband Mark) of Madison, AL; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Jim not only lived long, but he lived a full life of adventure.  He loved sports, especially the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, and he remembered detailed stats on the baseball teams and players.  While in the military, Jim and his fellow Marines held boxing matches during off-time.  Once Jim agreed to a boxing match, not knowing his opponent was a head taller and a much larger man.  Jim said he survived the match by ducking every time his opponent took a swing!  After Jim and his brother Gene completed their military service, they later owned SOHIO gas/service stations in Dayton, OH.  In the 1960’s, Jim and a few friends traveled on a two-month excursion from Dayton, OH to New York City, then Paris, France; Athens, Greece; and numerous areas of Africa where they stayed in villages and went on several safaris. The trip home went from Africa to Rome, Italy; to London, England; back to New York, and ended in Dayton.  Their adventures were featured in the local newspaper.

Jim also enjoyed going to harness horse races.  After a big win at the races, Jim and a friend bought a sulky racehorse, while he and Dot still lived in a subdivision.  After that Jim and Dot bought a farm and moved to Clinton County, OH where they had horses and a large garden.  They enjoyed camping trips with their children, family, and friends.  Jim enjoyed bowling, fishing, frog gigging, hunting, and card games with friends and family.

After Jim and Dot retired, they sold their home and farm, bought a camper, and traveled throughout the country for several years. They visited the national parks, especially Yellowstone, where they stayed nearby and served as camp managers for a few summers.

After their travels, Jim and Dot resided in North Carolina and Georgia.  They moved to Lebanon, TN in 2006.

Jim will be remembered for his big smile, his quick wit and dry humor.  He deeply loved his wife Dot, his family and friends, and he will truly be missed. 

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon, TN on Sat., Jan. 13^th, with visitation from 11 a.m. to 12 noon, and the memorial service at 12 noon.  Immediately following the memorial service will be a burial service with military honors, at Cedar Grove Cemetery in Lebanon, TN.  The family wishes to thank Rev. Gordon Lee for his friendship, visits, and prayers with Jim in his later years.  They also appreciate the kindness and care given by Wilson Manor staff and Gentiva hospice staff.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, to please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org) or Christmas Smiles at LifeToday (https://my.lifetoday.org/give).

Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.