James “Jim” E. Landes

James “Jim” Landes (83) passed away peacefully on December 28, 2024 after a lengthy illness. He was a Jefferson High School graduate with the class of 1958.  He married his one and only true love, Jarene, on August 23, 1963, and she survives.  He is survived by his two children, Eddy Landes (Jennifer) and Melissa Curwick (Bradley).  He was a proud and doting grandfather to seven grandchildren, Britteny Montez (Jay), Braden Curwick (Jenny), Jordan Romack (Kristin), Kailey Frania, (Jay), Zakerie Landes (Kiana), Jaycie Curwick and Sierra Goggin and a great-grandfather to sixteen. Jim and Jarene were both of the generation where loyalty as well as hard work and hospitality were valued above all else and these values live on through the lives of their children and grandchildren.

When he wasn’t spending time with his family, he lived outdoors participating in several sports and was an enthusiastic fan of sports. He was a very accomplished bowler and golfer. He loved his Chicago Bears, Indiana Pacers, Chicago White Sox and Purdue University teams. Everything Jim did he aimed at doing well and was a tireless perfectionist. That was typical of the care and attention that he put into his work and athletics. He was an accomplished craftsman, capable of fixing pretty much everything around the house. He was a talented cabinet maker. He was also a lifelong member of the Eagles and greatly enjoyed his time there laughing and having a beer with friends.

He worked as a carpenter at Home Hospital for much of his life and took great pride in that. He loved children. He was great with them, and his children and grandchildren benefited immensely because of that. He taught them to be independent, responsible, frugal, loyal, perfectionists, to become comfortable with competition and teaching them that anything worth doing was worth doing right.

Along with his wife and children, he is survived by his brother and best friend, Fred Landes (Judy) as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Frances and a nephew, Mark Landes.

Jim was a man who was loved, liked and respected. He had high standards and upheld them. He was a complex, intelligent, conscientious, straightforward and honest man. He was fearsome, but someone who was resolutely on the side of whatever was best in his children and his friends. He had a streak of stubbornness that made him a force to contend with, was a man of his word and someone who could be relied upon for a word of truth and whatever support was necessary.

Jim had the force of nature about him and will be greatly missed by all who loved him.

Those wishing may contribute in Jim’s name to either the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of your choice.

Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel, 400 Twyckenham Blvd. Lafayette, IN 47909. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, January 3, 2025 also at Soller-Baker Lafayette Chapel. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memorial Park.