JAMES ROBERT BROCK

1940 - 2021

JAMES ROBERT BROCK, 81, of Columbia City, Ind., passed away Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021, in Fort Wayne. Born Aug. 8, 1940 in Kettle Island, Ky., he was the fifth of eight children of the late Fred and Catherine Brock. Later in his childhood, the family moved to Fort Wayne. Jim graduated from Arcola High School and later earned an Associate's Degree in Applied Science from IPFW. For 40 years, he worked at Phelps Dodge, mainly in the shipping department. He was very active in the company safety program and was honored for Outstanding Contributions to Phelps Dodge Safety Program in 1998 at a corporate meeting in Arizona. After retirement, Jim enjoyed helping customers at Do It Best Hardware on West State Blvd. He developed his artistic gifts with drawing, oil painting, and designing items to build. Water was Jim's element. As a young man, he joined the U.S. Navy and served two years on the U.S.S. Haynsworth, achieving the rank of Gunner's Mate Petty Officer 3rd Class. He was an avid fisherman and boat captain, and was honored as grand marshal of Loon Lake's Fourth of July parade in 2019. Jim served both his church and his community as president of Queen of Angels School Board, officer of Wolf Lake VFW, president and board member of Loon Lake Property Association, and board member of Tippecanoe Water Foundation. For 10 years, he and his wife Mary Jo guided candidates in the RCIA programs at both Queen of Angels and St. Mary parishes in Fort Wayne and was also a choir member. Jim is survived by his wife of 40 years, Mary Jo (Herber) Brock; his beloved children, Dr. Mary Catherine (Stephen) Hostetter of Auburn, Ind.; and son, Ken (Kim) Brock of Mooresville, N.C.; grandchildren, Sarah Louise, Gabriel James, Jacob Benjamin, Joshua Harrison, and Gianna Marie; sisters, Wanda Vinson of Markle, Ind., and Brenda Liming of California. Jim will be greatly missed by his sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews, and by several generations of Mary Jo's Luley cousins, as well as countless friends in Fort Wayne and Columbia City. Jim was also preceded in death by his brothers, Ben, Clyde, Oliver, and J.D.; sister, Mona; and his in-laws, Norb and Mary (Luley) Herber. Mass of Christian Resurrection is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, at St. Paul of the Cross Catholic Church, 315 S. Line St., Columbia City, Ind., with calling two hours prior beginning at 8:30 a.m. Private burial at Highland Park Cemetery of Fort Wayne. Memorials may be made to Bed for Kids Program or Visiting Nurse. To sign the online guestbook visit www.fairhavenfortwayne.com