Obituary of James Rider

James E. "Jim" Rider, 68, of Warriors Mark, died Thursday, March 28, 2013, at his residence. Born June 12, 1944, in Bellefonte, he was the son of the late Elmet and Edith Johnston Rider. On June 26, 1965, he married Janet Schilling, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Robert E. Rider and his wife, Jenn, of Gatesburg and Michael C. Rider of New York; five grandchildren, Lisa, Mark, and CJ Zimmerman, Benjamin and Evelyn Rider; one great-grandson, Brayden Zimmerman. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Kathy Jo Zimmerman and one infant brother, John Rider. Jim was a 1962 graduate of State College Area High School, being the first student from the school district to receive the American Farmer degree, the highest degree conferred from the FFA. He was also awarded a National Welding award. He was a lifetime dairy farmer. Jim was a member of Fairbrook United Methodist Church. He belonged to many organizations including, the Baileyville Grange, the Centre County Ag Forum, Nittany Valley Wood Turners, the FFA, and the Pennsylvania Grassland Council. He was the past director of Agway, the Dairy Heard Information Association and the Centre County Farm Bureau. Jim was a member of the Tuesday Night Bluegrass Jam of the Pine Hall Lutheran Church. He also organized the Gatesburg Memorial Day Band and his own family band. Music has always been a large part of Jim's life. The family performed together as a country gospel band at churches and nursing homes all over Pennsylvania, including main stage at the Centre County Grange Fair. He loved to play guitar and sing with his family and friends. His weekly sessions with the Tuesday night jam at Pine Hall were one of the highlights of his week. Visitation will be 12 until 2 p.m. and 5 until 8 p.m., Monday, April 1, 2013 at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 South Atherton Street, State College. Funeral service will be 1 p.m., Tuesday, April 2, 2013, at Gatesburg Lutheran Church, 1924 West Gatesburg Road, Warriors Mark, with the Reverends Susan Williamson and Gene McCallips officiating. Burial will be in Gatesburg Lutheran Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the State College Chapter FFA, C/O Paul Heasley, 653 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801 or to Fairbrook United Methodist Church, 4201 West Whitehall Road, Pennsylvania Furnace, PA 16865. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.