James Dean (Jim) Gaither, age 63, proud farmer and lifelong resident of Thomas Bluff Road, Washington, IN passed away just before noon on May 3 in Evansville at Linda E. White Hospice House. He was born February 12, 1956 to Ray (Dick) Gaither and Edith Dymple Walton Gaither.
He is survived by his loving family: wife Kathy Gaither, son Jaret Gaither and his wife Amanda of Ireland, IN daughter Emily Kluesner and her husband Andrew of Loogootee, sisters, Penny Gaither and husband Stephen Pritchard of Bloomington, IN and Peggy Gaither and husband Ben Sturbaum of Owensburg, IN five grandchildren: Jake and Emmett Gaither, Grayson, Liam and Hattie Kluesner, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother Gary Ray Gaither of Kokomo, IN.
Jim was a 1974 graduate of Washington High School and attended Oakland City University and received a degree in Diesel Mechanics in 1976. He worked for Lyons Farm Center in Loogootee and Washington Implement Store before returning to full time farming in the early nineties. Jim lived and worked on the farm where he was born and only briefly lived elsewhere. He loved riding motorcycles, collecting vintage cars and guns, hosting meetings of Safety Club, spending time with his family members and with his wonder dogs Sam and Spike. No grandchild or nephew reached the age of two, or usually one, without riding a massive tractor or combine and feeling what it was like to be a farmer. He also loved fixing things and often would invent whatever he needed around the farm to accomplish a task or improve someone else’s design. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends who dearly loved him.
Friends may visit with Jim’s family from 4-8 pm on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 2020 State St., Washington, IN. Jim’s funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 8, 2019 at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home with Pastor Dee Armes officiating. Interment will follow in St. John’s Cemetery. Online memories may be shared with Jim’s family at www.goodwinsieversfh.com. Memorial contributions should be addressed to Linda E. White Hospice House at 611 Harriett Street, Evansville, IN 47710
