James Morton (Jim) Fraser, 79, Plymouth, IN, went home to our Lord and Savior, Friday, April 9, 2021, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center/Mishawaka, IN after a brief, but hard-fought, battle against lung cancer.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 25 years, Joan Betz Fraser of Plymouth, IN; two sons, David James (Maureen) of Collierville, TN, and Jeffrey Alan (Lou) of Columbus, OH; step-daughters, Michelle Irwin of Plymouth, Monica Betz of Argos, IN, and step-son, Earl Betz (Sarah) of Plymouth. Jim is also survived by grandchildren, Brittany of Little Rock, AR, Andrew of Collierville, TN, and Abigail of Columbia, SC; and step grandchildren, Michael Jr., Matthew, and Merrill Fishburn; Keith, Craig, and Amanda Irwin; Tyler, Payton, and Braxton Betz, and 11 step great grandchildren. Jim is also survived by his older brother, Robert, of Fort Wayne, IN; nephew, Steve (Susie) and family; niece, Karen Wilgus and family.
Jim was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife, Sharon Sue and parents, Fred and Mary Fraser.
Born September 3, 1941, in Rochester, IN, Jim graduated Rochester High School in 1959; B.S. Agricultural Education, Purdue University, 1963; and M.S. Agronomy, Purdue University, 1965.
Jim began his high school Vocational Agriculture/FFA Advisor teaching career in August 1965, then continued in 1968 at Heritage High School in Monroeville, IN.
Jim’s greatest joy, outside his family, was the success so many of his ag students achieved in their lives as professional and community leaders and parents across the United States.
Jim retired from teaching in 1989. He then started his second career at Wilson’s Feed & Grain, Lakeville, IN, as the area livestock feed sales representative. After several years, he then moved to Tractor Supply Company (TSC) retail location in Plymouth, where he loved every day, serving all his farmer friends and customers—Jim, never, ever, met a stranger. Jim and Joan achieved Jim’s life-long dream of buying a dairy farm outside Argos—though you would have to ask Joan if that was really her life-long dream!
A member of Poplar Grove Church, final arrangements are being handled by Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos. Visitation will be Friday, April 16, 4:00-7:00 pm, at Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos, followed by transport to St. John Lutheran Church-Flatrock, Monroeville, for visitation, Saturday, April 17, 10:00 am-Noon, followed by a service. A graveside service and interment in Monroeville Memorial Cemetery will immediately follow.
The family respectfully requests all visitors wear face masks and socially distance when possible.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests gifts to Purdue University College of Agriculture “In Memory of James Morton Fraser.” A donation basket (checks only, please), will be available during both visitations. You may also donate online: https://connect.purdue.edu/s/givenow?dids=012891.RF0099.013132.014037.999999&sort=1&appealcode=12943
Arrangements have been entrusted with the Earl-Grossman Funeral Home, Argos, Indiana
