James “Jim” Reecer, 88, passed away peacefully at home on July 11, after a year-long illness, surrounded by the love of his family. He was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in June 2025 and given six to eight weeks to live. Up until then, Jim was a picture of health — he took no medications and was unusually fit, active, and vibrant.
Jim defied the odds, living more than a year beyond that diagnosis — a testament to his relentlessly positive attitude and a lifetime spent taking excellent care of himself.
He was born in Ashley, Indiana, the youngest of seven children--five older sisters and one older brother. They all preceded him in death.

Jim was known for his unwavering easygoing nature and incredible discipline. He was the guy who always showed up 30 minutes early, and anything less than 15 minutes early counted as late. He lifted weights three times a week at the Y — including the very week of his diagnosis — and when he couldn’t walk the golf course, he walked miles on the indoor track every day. He loved chatting with everyone at the Y, and they loved him right back. He never complained about anything, had the patience of a Saint, and embodied the “just let it roll off your back” mantra he was known for.

Anyone who knew Jim knew that golf was the love of his life. He focused on golf every day, and people were blown away by his stamina. He never used a golf cart, and many times could be found on the course walking 36 holes in a single day! Golf gave him lifelong challenge and recreation, lasting friendships, and a deep sense of accomplishment. Jim was a stellar golfer, known to many in his community as “Gentleman Jim” because of his sportsmanship and unwavering positivity, no matter how he was playing. For Jim, bad shots were lessons not to be stressed over. He took them and all challenges in stride.

Jim Reecer captured the Indiana State Amateur Senior Championship and the Fort Wayne City Senior Championship twice, along with countless other tournaments. But perhaps his most extraordinary achievement was recording 36 holes-in-one over his lifetime — a feat few golfers could ever imagine, and a reflection of both his skill and his passion for the game, day in and day out.

But ask Jim what he was proudest of, and it was never golf. It was his family.
He is survived by his loving partner, Joyce Oberlin; his three children, Dr. Mark Reecer (Lynn), James Reecer (Suzanne), and Jill Herman (TK); his 12 grandchildren; and his six great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved beyond measure. He was hoping to meet the two great-grandchildren who will be born soon, so he would want us to say he had eight great-grandchildren.
Speaking of grandchildren, he was so incredibly proud of them. They live everywhere from Indiana to California, Seattle, New York City, Florida, Arizona, and Brazil, and the highlight of his entire year was seeing them. They’ll never forget his corny jokes, how slowly he drove, and the never-ending safety lectures, which earned him the title of “Safety Director.”

Jim will be remembered not just for the way he carried himself — unhurried, unbothered, and always early — but for a positive outlook that never wavered, even in his final year. He went from being the most vibrant and healthy 87-year-old to slowly getting weaker and thinner, eventually unable to drive, with only enough energy to get out of his chair when necessary — and he never once complained. He had no pain until three days before he passed, and even that was minimal, brief, and easily managed.
As soon as he was diagnosed, he said, “Who am I to question God? I’ve had the most incredible life of perfect health! I thought I would live to 100 or longer, but that wasn’t the plan. It’s okay.”

Jim, Dad, Grandpa will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always.
The entire family wishes to acknowledge the incredible team at Stillwater Hospice and oncologist Dr. Matt Carr. They are deeply grateful for the many visits, cards, and prayers from the staff and members of Saint Joseph United Methodist Church — as was Jim and his partner Joyce.

Per Jim’s wishes, he will be cremated, and no service will be held. He spent this past year saying his goodbyes and receiving everyone’s love and support and he wants to be remembered with joy and laughter.