James “Jim” H. Potts Jr.

James Herman “Jim” Potts Jr., 78, most recently of Hickory Hall (MC) in Hoosier Village, Zionsville, Indiana, passed away peacefully on October 27, 2023. He was born on April 1, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. Jim was a proud father and Opa (Dutch grandfather), known for his artistic creativity and love of music.

Jim is survived by his devoted spouse, Elsie deVries Potts; his son James H. Potts III; his daughter Christine J. (Potts) Brand and her husband Mark Brand; and his daughter Rebecca K. (Potts) Bruggers and her husband Seth Bruggers. He was a cherished Opa to Elijah Brand, Jacob Brand, Joshua Brand, Ben Bruggers, Allie Bruggers, Luke Bruggers, and JoJo Bruggers. He is also survived by his brother, Henry (Hank) Potts. Jim was preceded in death by his mother, Jennie Van Zyle Potts, his father, James H. Potts, his sister Joyce Potts Blauw, and his sister Jerine Potts Schiebout.

Jim pursued higher education at Calvin College where he met the love of his life, Elsie deVries. They married at Calvin Theological Seminary Chapel on September 3rd, 1966. After graduating Calvin College, he attended Western Michigan University, where he pursued his MBA, leading to a successful career in accounting. His career included positions at Control Data (Minneapolis, Minnesota), Evan’s Products (Portland, Oregon and Braintree, Massachusetts), Alma Products (Alma, Michigan), and as a CFO at Dealers Engine Sales (Indianapolis, Indiana). He was a member and Trustee of Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, where he enjoyed singing in the choir, participating in the Christmas Cantatas, being a member of a cherished small group, and the Old Goat’s Men’s Group.

In his free time, Jim enjoyed oil painting, golfing, and listening to music. He had a passion for the arts and found joy in expressing himself through his paintings. He also enjoyed traveling and spent many breaks from Indiana winters on Galveston Island in Texas. Alaska, Peru, Slovakia, Italy, and visiting Israel on a Mediterranean cruise were some of the highlights of his travels. Jim’s warm and caring personality touched the lives of many.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00pm on November 4th at Orchard Park Presbyterian Church (1605 E 106th St, Indianapolis, IN 46280) with visitation an hour before the service (starting at noon). Contributions in Jim’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, http://act.alz.org/goto/JimPotts or Orchard Park Presbyterian Church, https://orchardpark.org/. The family has entrusted the arrangements to Simplicity Funeral and Cremation Care in Zionsville, Indiana.

May Jim’s memory be a blessing to all who knew him.