Jim Post

Jim Post, 81, of Carmel, Indiana, departed this life Tuesday, January 7, 2020 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was born November 9, 1938 to the late William and Alma (Homan) Post in Delphos, Ohio. Jim grew up on the family farm in Coldwater, Michigan, where he and his nine brothers and sisters learned the value of a hard day’s work.

Jim was a naturally talented athlete and earned the nickname “the Coldwater Flash” as an All-American running back at St. Charles High School. A football scholarship allowed him to attend the University of Detroit where he earned his bachelor’s degree and MBA. Jim was the captain of the 1960 team which was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame. It was at U of D where Jim met the love of his life, Annette Salciccioli, an only child from the city of Detroit, proving opposites really do attract. The two would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on January 20th.

Jim’s career in the auto industry began at General Motors in 1962 during the heyday of the Big 3 in the Motor City. He later moved to the Ford Motor Company where he worked for 30 years before retiring in 1996. At Ford, Jim held a variety of challenging leadership positions in the company’s Industrial Relations department. His innovative spirit was well suited to negotiating contracts with the UAW, and later, a project to reorganize the company’s global engineering staff.

Jim was a kind, humble, and gentle soul who never met a stranger. He was happiest making memories with his large family, which included three children, 11 grandchildren, and 28 nieces and nephews. He was a tireless worker who loved helping his family and friends with projects big and small, especially at his nephew’s dairy farm. Jim enjoyed the new experiences that come with traveling across the country and throughout Europe, Asia, and South America.

Jim took extended hiking trips, many with his brother Dan, well into his 70’s, and fulfilled a life-long dream to explore Alaska at age 75. He could always be counted on as a skilled but often overconfident partner in a game of euchre. He was a dedicated member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church.

He was preceded in death by his brother Mello; sisters, Drita, JoAnn and LuAnn. He is survived by his beloved wife, Annette; his loving children, Michelle (Erik) Evans, Jim (Mari Schreiber) Post and Jerry (Kris) Post; his adoring grandchildren, Zachary (Lindsey), Jakob, Jessica (David), Gabriella, Maria, Owen, Eden, Reilly, Sophia, Danielle and Gabrielle; dear siblings, Zeno, Virgil, Robert, Daniel and Lucy and a host of treasured friends.

Visitation will be from 3 – 7 pm on Sunday, January 12th at Leppert Mortuary – Smith Carmel Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am on Monday, January 13th at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery – Mausoleum Chapel. Entombment follows Mass in the Mausoleum. Memorial contributions in Jim’s name are suggested to: St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences available at: www.leppertmortuary.com