James Ernest Liedtke

Glens Falls James Ernest Liedtke, 79, has died. Actor, dancer, choreographer and teacher, Jim was born in Plymouth, Mich., to Carrie Brooks Liedtke and Ernest Liedtke. His elder sister, Dorothy Laurer died in 2006. He grew up in Fremont, Ohio. As a child of the Great Depression, he discovered a fascination with the big movie musicals of the day; And when a major Hollywood film company came to his hometown of Fremont, Ohio, to film "Back Home in Indiana," he made up his mind that he, too, would follow his dream to become an actor and dancer. But, it wasn't until he performed on stage in high school that he knew that live theater was to be his life's calling. It was at Bowling Green Ohio State University, where he earned a B.S. and M.A. in speech and theater arts, that he met Carol Johnson, a fellow student and aspiring actress from Wisconsin. They married in 1952 after graduation. After their wedding, the couple performed for a season at The Ogunquit Summer Theater. Jim and Carol then moved to New York City to pursue their professional stage careers performing on stage, on television and in commercials. In the mid-1960s, Jim and Carol purchased a farmhouse in Hartford, N.Y.; Jim teaching speech and establishing a theater program for the South Glens Falls School District, and Carol opening a gift shop on their property. Both Jim and Carol lent their many talents to the Glens Falls Operetta Club, where they performed in and directed many productions over the next 30 years. Some of the shows he directed for GFCT were "My Fair Lady," "Dark of the Moon," "California Suite" and "Funny Girl." Carol died in 1985 from breast cancer. Jim retired from teaching that same year, but continued to work with the Glens Falls Community Theatre, and with Original Works Theater until his final 1993 performance in "Fire Escape" where he played the leading role of a retired Broadway chorus dancer from the 1930s. Jim was much loved by many friends, students and family; Admired for his quick wit, delightful disposition and his innate generosity and kindness to all whom crossed his path in life. Jim is survived by his nephew, James and his wife, Judy Laurer, of Fremont, Ohio, and their two children, Andrea Burkett (Rob) and Josh Laurer (Crystal); His niece Marcia Laurer Clink and her two children Robert Trimner and Melissa Valle (Louie); As well as intimate friends, Agata Stanford and Stanley Werner, and so many people who have come to know and love him. Graveside services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at Morningside Cemetery, Hartford, N.Y. A gathering of friends will take place on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the M.B. Kilmer Funeral Home, 136 Main St., South Glens Falls, N.Y.