James W. Kurtz, 79 went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 7th after a short bout with cancer. He was born on May 31, 1944 to Wade and Paquita (Ihrie) Kurtz of Kendallville, Indiana. Growing up in Kendallville, Jim was surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins of which he spent a great deal of time. He was an altar boy as a young man and enjoyed playing all sports and swimming in Bixler Lake. He is a graduate of Kendallville High School where he was active in football and was a great shot putter. The finest moment in high school was when he met his wife of 55 years, Drenda Kurtz, whom he also worked with at Kraft Foods in Kendallville. Jim and Drenda were married on November 21, 1964, after which they moved to California were Jim was stationed in the United States Marine Corp. Upon completion of his military service, they moved back to Kendallville for a short time before moving to Fort Wayne, Indiana. Jim worked as a frozen food buyer at Food Marketing for over 30 years and was active in the Jaycees. He also was the pitcher of the Super Valu softball team for many years. Jim enjoyed so many hobbies including stamp and coin collecting, sports card collecting, and watching sports of all kinds; however, his biggest passion was mushroom hunting which he did with his wife and friends for many many years. He loved spending time with family and friends, having numerous cookouts, playing cards, chili Sundays, and of course their annual New Year's Day Parties which were legendary. Preceding Jim in death with his wife Drenda Kae Kurtz, his mother Paquita (Ihrie) Kurtz, and his father Wade Kurtz. Surviving are a daughter Paula Kennedy of Fort Wayne, a son Todd Kurtz of Fort Wayne, and four grandchildren, Kaitlyn (Kyle) Williams of Lafayette, Indiana, Caleb Kurtz of Fort Wayne, Noah Kurtz of Fort Wayne, and Faith Kurtz of Michigan. A private family service will be held at a later date.