James Henriott

1929 - 2024

James Henriott, Knox, passed away on January 21, 2024, following complications from COVID.

James was born Nov. 20, 1929 in Logansport, to John and Edna (Tabler) Henriott. His parents, brother (Paul Henriott), and sister (Catherine Horban), preceded him in death.

Jim was raised on a farm in Fulton County and attended Rochester High School, where he graduated in 1947. He then enrolled at Indiana State Teacher's College in Terre Haute, majoring in mathematics and industrial arts. While at Indiana State, Jim was a basketball student manager for Coach John Wooden his freshman year, and his sophomore year he was a manager for Coach John Longfellow. He was also a baseball player all four years and was the starting catcher his junior and senior years.

Upon graduating from Indiana State, Jim was inducted into the U.S. Army where he served for ttwo years as a Counter Intelligence Corp (CIC) agent. He attended Japanese language school and was on orders to go to Korea, but at the last minute the orders were changed, and he was to report to Fort Benning, Ga., where he was assigned to run security clearance for members of the Army and Department of the Army Civilians, who were employed by the Army.

He was stationed in Savannah, Ga. When the two-year military obligation was completed, Jim was discharged and sent home to Rochester, where he worked as a section hand on the Nickel Plate Railroad until school began in September. He continued in the active Army reserves for the next two years, attaining the rank of sergeant.

In September 1951, he began teaching mathematics at Main Junior High School in Mishawaka. The next year he taught math and wood shop at Rochester High School. In the spring of 1955, he was contacted by the FBI to see if he would be interested in going to Germany to screen refugees for immigration to the U.S. The refugee program ended on Dec. 31, 1956. Jim married his beautiful wife, Beatrice Lehman, on July 4, 1956 in Hamburg, Germany. Bea had been an elementary school art teacher in Mishawaka and they had dated prior to Jim going to Germany as a Dept. of the Army civilian. Their marriage lasted 65 years until Beatrice's death on April 1, 2022.

Jim and Beatrice had three children: Jay Henriott (Rosie) of Jasper, Jill Harvey (Steve) of Banner Elk, N.C.; and Ann Nicoson (Kevin) of Romney. Jim and Beatrice had eighth grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Jim's teaching career began in Mishawaka, then Rochester, each for one year, then South Bend Washington High School teaching mathematics for the next 10 years. Jim earned his Master's Degree in school administration from the University of Notre Dame in 1960.

His first administrative job was guidance director and high school assistant principal at North Judson High School for one year, and then two years as principal of Liberty Middle School in North Judson. The next eight years he was the high school principal at North White High School in Monon. In 1978 Jim came to Knox as the high school principal and after six years he was promoted to be the assistant to the superintendent with duties of transportation director, purchasing, hearing officer, athletics, among other duties. Jim retired in 1992 from the Knox Community School Corporation.

He was a 22-year member of the Knox Kiwanis Club having served as president for one year and chairman of the Christmas Food Baskets project for 19 years. He also was a five-year member of the Monon Lions Club. He served 13.5 years on the Starke County election board as the Democrat representative. He served as chairman of the Starke County Scholarship Selection Committee for six years.

Jim was an avid golfer and had a hole in one on Sept. 13, 2011, on the eighth hole at Hamlet. His foursome included Doctor Howard Henry, Attorney LeRoy Gudeman, and Attorney Orville Nichols. LeRoy Gudeman was a golf mate for 30 years.

Jim was thankful for the help he received from Elara Hospice; caregivers Michelle and Shawn Hite, Brittany Lovely; and his neighbor for many years, Joann Rush.

Viewing hours for family and friends will be Thursday evening, Jan. 25, 2024, from 4-6 p.m. (CST), or 5-7 p.m. (EST), at the M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox, with funeral services to be Friday morning, Jan. 26, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. (CST), 10:30 a.m. (EST). A family burial service will take place at the Olive Cemetery in Wakarusa, with military graveside services.