James Paul "Jim" Witten

James Paul (Jim) Witten died December 28, 2025 after complications from pneumonia. His family is deeply saddened by his tragic loss. Jim was born April 9, 1941.
Jim is survived and missed by his loving wife Anne (née Geddes) of 57 years; and his children, Holly (Bob) and Matthew (Larke). He will be forever cherished and remembered by his five grandchildren, Amara, Aleiana, Haleigh, Sarah and Eve, as well as his family members by choice, Becca (David), Jill and Devin.

Jim was predeceased by his father, Ray, his mother, Esther, his sister Deanne, and his son Paul.

He was born in Charlestown, Indiana and grew up there with his three sisters. He started working at age seven, when he ran a local laundry with his sisters before going on as a teen to be the family test taker. He had fond memories of taking his uncles' certification tests for them. Jim was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, and he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a passionate advocate for scouting throughout the rest of his life, working with boys and girls of all ages to reach their goals and grow into responsible men and women.

He went on to Indiana University in Bloomington, where he received a degree in accounting. He liked to tell everyone that he had been a mechanic for his dorm's team in the Little 500. His love for IU was one of the grand passions of his life, and the 2025 undefeated season brought him great joy in the last few months. After IU, he went on to serve in the US Airforce during the Vietnam war. It was during that time he met his wife, Anne. They moved back to Indiana after the birth of their first child, and he took over his family's business, Witten Brothers. He was able to grow the business, and this led to his long association with the NAPHCC (National Association of Plumbing Heating and Cooling Contractors) from whom he received a Lifetime Achievement Award. His career as a mechanical contractor dovetailed with his love of scouting when he became the author of the Plumbing Merit Badge that is still awarded by the BSA.

Jim loved his family. His son, Matthew, has a special memory of him holding his wife in his arms as they watched a comet on one starry night. The two loved to tease each other and their family home was full of laughter. Jim especially enjoyed participating in scouting activities with his two sons and sharing his love of golf with all three of his children (none of whom liked it as much as he did). He taught his kids to "use your resources" and to tell their spouses "yes, dear." Other important life lessons included doing things without having to be told and, most importantly, always treat other people as you would like to be treated.

He took an active role in the lives of his grandchildren by teaching them all to skip rocks at the A & A falls, which he named for the two oldest girls. And all of them loved to be taken for a ride in his red MG convertible for an ice cream in the summertime. He built a zipline in the back yard for the grandkids, and everyone knows he gave the best hugs.

Jim was also passionate about Clark County, Indiana. He served on the board of directors for New Hope and on a development committee for the city of Charlestown, Indiana, where he played a role in getting the bridge to Kentucky built. He helped local citizens file their taxes for free for many years while volunteering with the Kiwanis.

Jim was never scared to take on new opportunities and did everything with honesty and integrity. He had very strong values and was well liked by everyone, mostly due to his positive energy. Jim had incredible patience and always made time to help others. He would say it all comes back to us.

There are no words that can express how grateful and blessed we are to the doctors and nurses who cared for him during his last illness. Also a heartfelt thank you to Hospice of the Wabash Valley for making his passage so very peaceful.

Arrangements were entrusted to Samaritan Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Boy Scouts of America, Give - Scouting America.