‘had a real vision’

igniting a lifelong partnership that resulted in the two founding the Arnold Classic in 1989.

“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,” Schwarzenegger wrote. “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.”

From its simple founding as a body-building contest, the event has grown into the biggest annual event in Columbus, and one that has been duplicated on five continents.

“Jim put Columbus on the map when it came to bodybuilding and other sports-related competitions,” said Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. “But he did much more for the city, especially our young people.”

Despite the growth of “The Arnold,” Lorimer found time to remain active elsewhere, notably in his community of Worthington. Lorimer was appointed in 1967 as Worthington’s mayor, a position he held for 14 years. He also was elected to Worthington City Council in the 1980s and served as vice mayor of Worthington for several decades before retiring in 2019.

Lorimer was preceded in death last year by Jean Lorimer, his wife of more than 50 years. He is survived by the couple’s three children, Kathy Jane Nagle (Paul), James Jeffrey Lorimer ( Jeanne) and Robert Craig Lorimer (Tammy), six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren