Jim Brower was just a child when he discovered his love and talent for art.
Tuesday, the Toledo artist, who had a long career as an advertising illustrator, celebrated his 100th birthday surrounded by more than 50 family members and friends at a lunchtime party held at the retirement home Senior Star at West Park Place.
A couple of framed examples of his artwork were displayed near brightly wrapped gifts, and well-wishers warmly greeted the guest of honor.
Fellow members of the Tile Club, a men’s club that meets weekly to enjoy dinner and sketch portraits, toasted him, and old friends swapped stories.
“I’ve been doing art all my life, but I got into advertising art immediately after high school,” Mr. Brower said.
Born in 1914 in West Virginia, he spent part of his childhood in Toledo before returning to West Virginia and graduating from Charleston High School. In 1943, he moved back to Toledo and created commercial artwork for clients including Owens-Illinois Inc.
In addition, Mr. Brower has earned awards for his watercolor paintings and made long-lasting friendships through various art groups, including the Northwestern Ohio Watercolor Society, where he met artist John Cook roughly 30 years ago.
“He knows so many people across a broad spectrum” of the art community, Mr. Cook said.
Mr. Brower illustrated books, a golf-themed Arnold Palmer board game released in the early 1960s, as well as a hockey-themed pinball game. Birthday greetings from the famous golfer and Gov. John Kasich were read aloud at the celebration.
This year, he illustrated his traditional Christmas card with a picture of Santa with a walker and wrote an accompanying poem.
About a year ago, he underwent an unexpected surgical operation, and doctors expressed concern about his health, said his daughter Beth Brower Weilant of Toledo. On Tuesday, his loved ones had a chance to celebrate the past year and the many preceding it.
Former neighbor Colleen Grogan of Toledo described Mr. Brower as articulate and well-read with a dry wit.
“I mean at 100 he’s writing poetry, and… [creating] original artwork,” she said. “We should all be that sharp.”
Linda Meeks of Pacific Palisades, Calif. told partygoers her father’s keys to longevity included his marriage to his late wife, Elsie; his family; the fellowship of friends and other artists, productivity, and dark chocolate.
Creativity “keeps you alive,” Mr. Brower said.
“It was just a natural ability, and I guess I always assumed I would spend my life doing art,” he said.
First Published December 31, 2014, 5:00 a.m.
