James Daniel Gawthrop, 93, of Kimmell, passed away at 7:27 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Born on October 18, 1932, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he was a son of the late Judd and Josephine (Barrett) Gawthrop. At the age of three, the family moved to Canada to operate a fishing camp. Moving back to Fort Wayne when Jim became school age, he completed elementary school in Fort Wayne. The family then moved to the Wolf Lake area, where he graduated from Wolf Lake High School in 1950.

On November 25, 1950, he married Sally M. Barr. The couple made their home near Kimmell, raising three children. Sally died on April 30, 2014.

Jim worked for Food Marketing of Fort Wayne, later becoming Harrison House, then JP Foods, where he became the company’s top salesman. Retiring after 33 years of service, Jim became a realtor to keep busy. He owned several rental properties and would periodically sell one. In the early 1970s, the couple owned and operated the Dairy Sweet Drive-In in Wolf Lake for seven years, and later owned and operated the Lambs Café in North Webster.

For eight years, Jim served on the West Noble School Board and was a fifty-year member of the Wolf Lake Lions Club. A man of faith, he belonged to the Wolf Lake Baptist Church and volunteered at their food pantry.

A loyal New York Yankees fan, he followed their games throughout the season. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, and was an Indiana University sports fan. He regularly met “the guys” for coffee and a lively discussion about current events. Exceptionally knowledgeable about Wolf Lake history, he often won the trivia contest at the annual Wolf Lake Onion Days.

Surviving are a daughter, Mary Jo (Michael) Bolin, Wolcottville; grandchildren, Ryan, Rodney, Richard and Reid Gawthrop, Jason and Joshua Fulford, Courtney Roth, and Jeremiah Gawthrop; 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He was also preceded in death by his sons, David Lee Gawthrop and Thomas Allen Gawthrop, and his brother, Roy Gawthrop.

The funeral service is at 10 a.m. Tuesday (Sept 1st) at the Wolf Lake Baptist Church, 1133 S. Main St., Wolf Lake. Burial is at the Thorn Cemetery, Ormas. Visitation is 3 to 7 p.m. Monday (Aug 31st) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, and one hour before the service at the church.

Memorials in Jim’s honor are to the Wolf Lake Baptist Church.

Condolences may be sent to www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com