VALLEY CITY, Ohio—Optical laboratory pioneer James P. Dougher passed away on July 12, 2015, following a brief illness. Dougher, who lived in Valley City, Ohio, was 81 years-old.

A graduate of Culver Military School and Kent State University, Dougher was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a co-owner of wholesale lab Rooney Optical, which operated branches in Cleveland, Ohio and Latrobe, Penn. While at Rooney, Dougher grew the business by investing advanced technology such as high quality anti-reflective and mirror coatings. In addition, he helped solidify the distribution of products such as Varilux lenses and RGP contact lenses. Dougher was inducted into the Optical Laboratories Association Hall of Fame in 2007.

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Eleanor; children Barney, Nancy Hoffman, Michael, Jim, Molly Kilbane, Mathew, Jenny Malloy, Lea George, and Adam; 29 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a brother, Gerald.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to St. Martin of Tours Church, 1800 Station Rd, Valley City, Ohio 44280 or to the Salvation Army.