James Kelsey DECATUR, IN Obituary

James Kelsey

JAMES MICHAEL "JIM" KELSEY, 65, rounded his last trailhead on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, after a brief but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Fort Wayne, Jim graduated from Bishop Luers High School and Yale University, where he earned a degree in philosophy. His lifelong love of outdoor adventures led him to become a bicycle messenger in New York City while awaiting his draft to the Army during the Vietnam era. That love of biking lasted his entire life, leading him to begin a bicycle rickshaw business in Fort Wayne and initiate a pro-biking movement that earned him a third-place ribbon in the 2015 Three Rivers Festival parade. Above all else, Jim was a bundle of creative energy on so many fronts. He was well read and well informed politically and deeply concerned about questions of justice, social inequality, and the missed opportunities that so characterize our system of governing and economic relations. He possessed an innate sense of fairness that was visible in everything he did. He owned a small painting business and, typically, his first commitment was to the people who worked for him. He was one of those extremely rare people who had a balanced view of money, work and life. Jim was a physically fit person and came alive on the hiking trail. Out there he was in his element, and his enthusiasm knew no bounds. He liked to plunge ahead of his party, explore what was to come, and then return to assure everybody that there were great marvels to be seen. He loved to travel with his wife Julia Meek to magical places such as Italy, Hawaii and most of all, that marvel of natural beauty, Zion National Park. Jim was well informed about popular culture, especially the contemporary music scene and movies, and enjoyed sharing both with his family and friends. But perhaps the singular talent that says the most about Jim is his efforts in the realm of poetry. Jim and Julia’s friends always looked forward to their DownHome Christmas cards which paired Jim’s poetry with Julia’s designs. He and Julia have sustained their lives through creativity and art. Both have contributed so much to the lives of people around them and both exemplify the spirit of the poet in the broadest sense of the word. Jim had compassion, courage, humor, integrity, optimism, generosity, intelligence, and empathy. He had that unique combination of youthful curiosity and unwavering support for the ones who needed him most, and his story constantly inspires those who knew him to follow their dreams. Jim leaves behind his wife, Julia Meek; parents, Sue and Gene Kelsey; brother, Mark (Tari) Kelsey; and sisters, Kathy Kelsey and Marita (Mike) Martin. He is forever in the hearts of his nieces and nephews, Nick, Zach, Kristen, Nate, Sarah, Amanda, Molly, Kate, David, Grace, Richie, Molly and Lizzie; and eight great nieces and great nephews, with one on the way. Service is 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. and a celebratory wake immediately following the service, at Come2Go Ministries, 323 W. Baker St., Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name to Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation or Northeast Indiana Public Radio are welcome. "Jim enriched all our lives beyond measure and we will always remember the extraordinary person that he was." Arrangements by Haggard - Sefton & Hirschy Funeral Home, Decatur.
April 18, 1950 - February 6, 201604/18/195002/06/2016
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Obituary

JAMES MICHAEL "JIM" KELSEY, 65, rounded his last trailhead on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, after a brief but valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. Born in Fort Wayne, Jim graduated from Bishop Luers High School and Yale University, where he earned a degree in philosophy. His lifelong love of outdoor adventures led him to become a bicycle messenger in New York City while awaiting his draft to the Army during the Vietnam era. That love of biking lasted his entire life, leading him to begin a bicycle rickshaw business in Fort Wayne and initiate a pro-biking movement that earned him a third-place ribbon in the 2015 Three Rivers Festival parade. Above all else, Jim was a bundle of creative energy on so many fronts. He was well read and well informed politically and deeply concerned about questions of justice, social inequality, and the missed opportunities that so characterize our system of governing and economic relations. He possessed an innate sense of fairness that was visible in everything he did. He owned a small painting business and, typically, his first commitment was to the people who worked for him. He was one of those extremely rare people who had a balanced view of money, work and life. Jim was a physically fit person and came alive on the hiking trail. Out there he was in his element, and his enthusiasm knew no bounds. He liked to plunge ahead of his party, explore what was to come, and then return to assure everybody that there were great marvels to be seen. He loved to travel with his wife Julia Meek to magical places such as Italy, Hawaii and most of all, that marvel of natural beauty, Zion National Park. Jim was well informed about popular culture, especially the contemporary music scene and movies, and enjoyed sharing both with his family and friends. But perhaps the singular talent that says the most about Jim is his efforts in the realm of poetry. Jim and Julia’s friends always looked forward to their DownHome Christmas cards which paired Jim’s poetry with Julia’s designs. He and Julia have sustained their lives through creativity and art. Both have contributed so much to the lives of people around them and both exemplify the spirit of the poet in the broadest sense of the word. Jim had compassion, courage, humor, integrity, optimism, generosity, intelligence, and empathy. He had that unique combination of youthful curiosity and unwavering support for the ones who needed him most, and his story constantly inspires those who knew him to follow their dreams. Jim leaves behind his wife, Julia Meek; parents, Sue and Gene Kelsey; brother, Mark (Tari) Kelsey; and sisters, Kathy Kelsey and Marita (Mike) Martin. He is forever in the hearts of his nieces and nephews, Nick, Zach, Kristen, Nate, Sarah, Amanda, Molly, Kate, David, Grace, Richie, Molly and Lizzie; and eight great nieces and great nephews, with one on the way. Service is 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21, 2016, with visitation beginning at 2 p.m. and a celebratory wake immediately following the service, at Come2Go Ministries, 323 W. Baker St., Fort Wayne. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jim’s name to Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation or Northeast Indiana Public Radio are welcome. "Jim enriched all our lives beyond measure and we will always remember the extraordinary person that he was." Arrangements by Haggard - Sefton & Hirschy Funeral Home, Decatur.

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