Educator James W. Dold, a resident of Chesterton since 1943 died Dec. 22, 2004 in his winter home in Fort Myers, Fla. He was 90.

He was born Oct. 16, 1914 in Speed, Ind., Oct. 1914 the son of William and Martha (Renz) Dold.

On Sept. 3, 1939, he married Mary Gill, who survives.

In addition to his wife of 65 years, he is also survived by nieces and nephews, who fondly call him “Uncle Jimmy.”

He attended Central Normal College and Indiana University. His teaching career of 41 years included one year at Austin High School where he was a charter member of the Austin Lions Club, four years at Silver Creek High School, where he was named “Outstanding Graduate,” six years at Chesterton High School, where he taught business education and sponsored Hi-Y and the school newspaper. He also coached track and started cross country at Chesterton High School.

At Washington Twp. in Porter County he was principal for 30 years. After his retirement in 1979, the new gymnasium was named “The James W. Dold Gymnasium.”

He also taught at the IU extension in Merrillville and a methods class at Valparaiso University.

He has 50 year pins from both Buckner Masonic Lodge F&AM and order of Eastern Star in Sellersburg, Ind. He belonged to Scottish Rite Valley of South Bend and the Orak Shrine in Michigan City.

During many summers he was head boys’ counselor at the high school journalism institute at Indiana University where he was called “Papa Dold.”

During his 15 years on the IHSAA (Indiana High School Athletic Association), he worked with a group of women physical education teachers to establish girls sports for the state of Indiana. The Porter County Conference now gives a “James W. Dold Girl’s Basketball Award” in his honor.

Golf has been his main recreation, playing at the Valparaiso Country Club and Sand Creek Country Club.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29 at Edmonds & Evans Funeral Home, 517 Broadway, Chesterton. Officiating will be Pastor Terry Rhine of Chesterton First United Methodist Church of which Dold is a member.

Visitation is from 4-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Posted12/27/2004