James McFadden

James Henry McFadden passed away on August 9, 2019, two weeks after his 91st birthday. “Jimmy” was born July 27, 1928 in Roanoke, Indiana to Hugh J. and Lucy H. (Smith) McFadden. “Hank” graduated from Fort Wayne North Side High School in 1946. He joined ROTC and graduated from Purdue University in 1950 with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. “Mac” then served in the U.S. Navy as LTJG during the Korean War, and developed life-long friendships with some of his fellow servicemen, playing many hours of cribbage. After his naval service, “Jim” returned to Ft. Wayne and began a career that began with Capehart-Farnsworth (ITT), a brief time with Sanders in New Hampshire, and retired after many years with Magnavox G & I Division.

Jim met Patricia Daniels on a blind date in June of 1954, became engaged 4 months later, and married on January 29, 1955 in Plymouth Congregational Church. Through the years they welcomed two sons, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. He was a great father, grandfather, and role model. Above all, he loved his family, especially delighting in his grandchildren.

Jim enjoyed staying physically active by playing racquetball, by water-skiing, jogging, golfing, and by working on home projects and maintenance. Several winters he built an ice rink in his backyard for his kids to enjoy. He always loved the water and many weekends were spent boating with family and extended family on Indiana lakes and reservoirs. He even built several boats, naming one “La Bañera”. In 1981, Jim and Pat bought a cottage on Oliver Lake in LaGrange, Indiana. After retirement, they turned the cottage into a year-round home and moved there permanently. Many, many happy times were spent there with lots of friends and family, boating during the days and playing games in the evenings. Jim was patriotic and always enjoyed flying Old Glory. He enjoyed participating in the July 4th flotilla, adorning his pontoon boat in red, white, and blue bunting and decorations.

Jim learned woodworking skills from his father, who was a carpenter. Jim always enjoyed it as a hobby, furnishing his home with many beautiful items he built from scratch, or acquired from an auction then refinished. He could fix just about anything and loved spending time in his “shop”. He always had a project in mind, be it creating something new, or finding a solution to a problem. At the conclusion of a project he would often say “once you finish a project, you know enough to start it.” Even in his final days, he was trying to “work the problem.”

Jim and Pat loved to travel. They not only visited all 50 United States, but toured each of the state capitals. They shared this love with their children and grandchildren in the form of a family reunion with cousins in a different part of the country every other year. Jim enjoyed reading by the fireplace, and made sure to read two non-fiction books for every fiction book he read. He was a loyal Purdue fan, a member of the John Purdue Club, and had season tickets to Purdue football and basketball for many years. He also enjoyed watching Lakeland High School sports.

Jim was active in his church and the community. He was a regular blood donor for years. He was president of the Fort Wayne Purdue Club, served on the St. Joseph Township Trustees Advisory Board, taught Sunday school and served on the board of Trustees at Plymouth Church, and was a beefeater in Plymouth’s Boars Head Festival. After moving to LaGrange, he served on the LaGrange County Sewer Board, provided tax counseling for AARP, was on the LaGrange Country Club board, and was chairman of the Ad Council for Topeka United Methodist Church. After moving to Fishers, he regularly attended the Fishers United Methodist services held at Hamilton Trace. The family thanks the staff at Hamilton Trace for their excellent care.

Jim is survived by his wife, Patricia, and five children Steven (Paul) of Chicago, Beverly of Fort Wayne, Rebecca (Craig) Ellis of Indianapolis, Martha (Jeffrey) Hampel of Fishers, and Hugh (Veronica) of Lewisville, TX. He is also survived by 7 of his grandchildren: Max and Margaret Ellis; James Henry, Grace, and Olivia McFadden; Joseph and Elisabeth Hampel. He is preceded in death by his parents; siblings and their spouses, Zoe (Tom) Parrott and Bruce (Jeanne) McFadden; brother-in-law Jerry Daniels; nieces Marilyn Daniels and Emily Parrott Cator; and grandson Jackson James Ellis.

A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday, August 24th at Fishers United Methodist Church, 9691 E. 116th Street, Fishers Indiana. Visitation will be from 2 - 4 p.m. preceding the service (park in the south-east lot and enter through Door #3).

A graveside service with military honors will be held at noon on Sunday, August 25th at Glenwood Cemetery, Roanoke, Indiana.

A gathering of friends will be held at a later date in the LaGrange area.

Donations may be in his memory made to Topeka United Methodist Church,124 W Pine St, Topeka, IN 46571 or Alzheimer’s Association, alz.org.

To share a memory and condolences, please visit www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/indianapolis-in/james-mcfadden-8816031