In Memory
James Kenneth Kouts - Class Of 1961
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James K. Kouts April 14, 1943 - March 10, 2013 |
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BiographyJames K. Kouts, an educator who was instrumental in the creation of a scholarship fund for local students attending Purdue University, died last Sunday, March 10, 2013, at age 69. He had been hospitalized for a week when he passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and members of the exceptional staff of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka.Jim was born April 14, 1943 in South Bend to Kenneth and Claire (Fuzy) Kouts. He is survived by his sister, Judith Meier, of Goshen and his niece, Elizabeth Meier, of Belcamp, Maryland. He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Bradley Meier in 2006, whom he helped raise. A 1961 graduate of South Bend Riley High School, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in 1966 in Social Science from Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Indiana University in 1970. Jim worked for Goshen Community Schools for 33 years as a teacher, administrator, and finally as Director of Technology until retiring in 1999. He then became CEO of Software House, an IT consulting firm. Jim was very active in the community and participated in local service organizations for decades, until his failing health forced him to take a step back in early 2013. These organizations included the Maple City Kiwanis Club, Phi Delta Kappa, the Purdue Alumni Association and its Board of Directors, and the Elkhart County Purdue Club, its Board of Directors, and its Foundation. He was a longtime active member of the Maple City Kiwanis Club; after joining in 1979, he went on to serve as Lt. Governor in the Land 'o Lakes division for two years and secretary for the Maple City club for 20 years. As a lifetime member of the Purdue Alumni Association, he contributed to numerous Purdue-related efforts including the creation of the Elkhart County Purdue Club, its corresponding Foundation, and its scholarship fund for local students going to Purdue University. In keeping with Jim’s wishes, cremation will take place and there will a private memorial service. If friends want to do something in remembrance of Jim, his family requests that you continue his commitment to service by making a charitable gift in his name to a service organization of your choice. For your convenience, contact information is posted below. • Purdue Club of Elkhart County Foundation’s Jim Kouts Scholarship Fund: o Payable to: Purdue Club of Elkhart County Foundation o Please note the following on the check: For Jim Kouts Scholarship Fund o Mailing address: Purdue Club of Elkhart County Foundation, Attn: Joe Gross, P.O. Box 382, Goshen, IN 46527 • Maple City Kiwanis Club’s TOOLS 4 SCHOOLS project providing school supplies to elementary school students and teachers in the Goshen Community Schools district. "Teachers wish list" of school supplies includes: No. 2 Pencils, Colored Pencils, Pens, Crayola Crayons, Glue Sticks, Scissors (Siskars), Pink Erasers, Pencil Top Erasers, Notebooks-70 pages-Wide Ruled, Three Ringed Binders, Composition Notebooks, File Folders, Rulers, etc. If you would like to learn more about the "TOOLS 4 SCHOOLS" program or would like to make a donation, please contact: "TOOLS 4 SCHOOLS", P.O. Box 194, Goshen, IN 46527 574.238.7484 or 574.534.8226 • Phi Delta Kappa’s Prospective Educator Scholarships initiative: https://www.pdkmembers.org/members_online/members/donations.asp?action=start • A charity of your choice The family thanks Dean DeVoe for contributing to this biographical summary. |
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01/31/2018 Information from Nancy Hegreness Bradley JFC
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