Jim Longster

James Ray "Jim" Longster Jr., 84, formerly of Lafayette, IN, passed away last Thursday afternoon, January 15, 2015 at the Monticello Healthcare Center in Monticello, IN.

Jim was born December 19, 1930 in Muncie, IN, to James Ray Longster Sr. and Kathleen Keever Longster, and grew up in West Lafayette, IN, where he graduated from West Lafayette High School in 1949. He served in the U.S Navy, from 1951 through 1954, during the Korean Conflict, and on February 23, 1952, Jim married Iris Joan Robinaugh, at St. James Lutheran Church in Lafayette.

James is survived by his wife, Iris, and their three children: James Ray Longster III, with wife Rebecca Longster, of Lafayette; Paula Kathleen Longster, with life partner Kenneth Schultz, of West Lafayette; and Cynthia Gay White, with husband Kenneth White, of Lafayette; as well as 9 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren.

Among other business endeavors after the Navy, Jim owned and operated a shoe repair business for several years in "the Village" in West Lafayette, then later converted the business to open Pronto Printers, the first print and copy shop in the area. In later years, he worked for Printing Services at Purdue University, where he retired in 1997.

James was a member of St. James Lutheran Church of Lafayette and of the American Legion Post #11, also of Lafayette.

No services will be held. The family welcomes cards and calls from those wishing to express sympathy and support, and asks that, in lieu of flowers, those wishing to send a gift do so by making a charitable donation in support of dementia and Alzheimer's research.