SEYMOUR
James A. Brock, 78, of Seymour, went to be with the Lord on Monday, March 23, 2020. A celebration of Jim’s life is planned for July 18, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Central Christian Church with Pastor Jon Carlstrom and Pastor Ben Yee officiating. Friends and family may call from 11:00 a.m. until the time of service at Central Christian Church.
Jim was born July 21, 1941, to Russell E. and Dora E. (Patrick) Brock. He graduated from Shields High School in 1959 and attended LeTourneau University in Texas for one year before attending and graduating from Indiana State University with a degree in Industrial Arts. He taught for two years in Columbia City, Indiana, and then returned to Seymour to begin a long and successful teaching career at Seymour High School. Under his leadership, the auto mechanics program flourished; he was the first in the state to institute an auto mechanics program for girls and was proud of the influence he had on students.
In addition to teaching, Jim owned Seymour Sheet Metal, worked as a partner in a small construction company, and formed Cinderfella Chimney Sweeps. His career as a chimney sweep spanned more than forty years and he continued servicing gas logs until his recent illness.
Jim was a 70-year member of Central Christian Church. He began in his youth as an active member of the Chi Rho class, sang in the choir, and assumed various leadership roles including serving as a deacon and a member of stewardship, Christian education, and property committees. His Christian faith was exhibited in his life and in his interaction with others.
He was a 50+ member of Jackson Masonic Lodge in Seymour, as well as a member of other Masonic bodies and the Order of the Eastern Star. He was proud of the work of those organizations but was never hesitant to say he disliked long meetings.
In addition to having a strong work ethic, Jim had many interests including spending time with his children and grandchildren, traveling, fishing and working. He valued education and took classes in furniture refinishing, upholstery, woodworking, and pottery to expand his knowledge.
On October 8, 1994, he married Janice McKinley Brock; she survives. Other survivors include his children Christy Lewis (Greg Brasfield), Tim (Kristi) Brock, Mandy (Jeremy) Gray; grandchildren Layton and Reilly Lewis, Emma and Eli Brock, Kassidy Brock (Caleb Monroe), Logan Shelly, Jaycob, Jayleigh, and Jagger Gray; sister Margaret (Stephen) Kroman; sister-in-law Judy Stricker; brother-in-law Jim (Kay) McKinley; nieces Linda (Dan) Gough and Jamie (Nahashon) Muriithi; nephews Bill Stricker and Ryan McKinley, as well as several cousins and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Keith Stricker.
Because of his love for education and his many students, he wished memorials to be made to the General Scholarship Fund of Central Christian Church in care of Voss & Sons Funeral Service.
Online condolences may be given on the funeral home website at www.vossfuneralservice.com.
