James Edward Trainer, Jr. (1927-2008)
Jim Trainer, of Palm Beach, Florida; Executive with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Co.
He was born in Akron, Ohio. He attended Culver Military Academy in Indiana and graduated from Kenyon College. He served with distinction in The Merchant Marine during World War II, helping transport German POW's to work camps in the United States. Known as "Jim" Trainer, he spent the majority of his career with the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company (of which his father was Vice-President), serving in various management positions including plant manager of both the Memphis, Tennessee and Des Moines, Iowa facilities. He was remembered for his ability to bring management and unions together on the difficult issues of the day. He was an avid sports fan and particularly enjoyed college football, especially the Miami Hurricanes. He was also intensely interested in politics and was an integral part of President Lyndon Johnson's Iowa presidential election team in 1964, meeting with the President on numerous occasions. He was a brother-in-law of "The Irish Nightingale" Morton Downey, father of the controversial talk show host, Morton Downey Jr. He was survived by three children, James Edward Trainer III of Fort Lauderdale; William Campbell Trainer of Chicago; and, Suzanne Trainer Shriber of Akron, Ohio.
