James R. Fenters Jr., 80, of Lebanon and formerly Wingate and Crawfordsville, passed away unexpectedly at 11:51 a.m. Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in IU Health Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, with his family by his side.
He was born in Montgomery County, son of the late James Raymond Sr. and Alberta Wilson Fenters. He married Sheila Oppy on Jan. 19, 1963, in the New Richmond Methodist Church, and they shared three children.
Jim grew up on the family farm in the Wingate/Waynetown area and was a proud 1961 graduate of Coal Creek Central High School. He retired after a 30-year career with Alcoa, Lafayette. During his employment, he was involved in production and management. His love for farming continued as he kept busy helping local farmers, especially one of his dearest lifelong friends, Jim Fulwider, in the New Richmond area.
Jim was an incredible provider, worker and friend often working two jobs, but seldom missing his kids’ activities. He enjoyed traveling and had been to Europe and Hawaii. He was also an actor, having had a speaking part in the movie Hoosiers. His memberships included the New Richmond Masonic Lodge.
His other passion was auto racing. He ceremoniously attended the Indy 500 for more than six decades beginning at age 15 and proudly attended the 100th running. His last visit to the Speedway was last May during Fast Friday. The legendary AJ Foyt was his favorite driver naming a son after him. His other love was Sprint Car racing traveling the Tri-State area to watch hundreds of races with his dearest racing buddy and son, Ron, and Chris Wiegand, as recently as August 2023.
Surviving are daughter Rebecca Ann (Pete) Silins of Lebanon; two sons, Daniel Thomas (Margaret) Fenters of Powell, Ohio, and Anthony Joseph “Tony” Fenters of Crawfordsville; grandchildren, Danielle, Maria (Baker), Henry James, Tully, Clare, Jacob and Livija; brother Randall Fenters of Merrillville; and a special cousin, Donna Eastman of Florida.
Visitation will be 1-3 p.m. Saturday, May 4 at Family and Friends Funeral Home, Wingate, with funeral services following at 3 p.m. Pastor Mike Parks will officiate. Private graveside services will be at Greenlawn Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to Boone County Senior Services Inc., 515 Crowne Point Drive, Lebanon, IN 46052. Visit us at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guest book or share a memory.
