James Edward Pilarski, lifelong athlete, coach and consummate family man, dies at 80 years old. James “Jim” Pilarski, who relished competitive sports, was able to energize a small rural town’s tennis program in his later years after retiring from a career in business and labor-related leadership, as well as raising a family, died on Sunday, February 23, 2025. The cause was a sudden and severe bout of pneumonia immediately followed by acute respiratory distress syndrome. Jim was born in Kewanee, IL. on September 25, 1944 to Doris (Deibert) Pilarski, who ran the home, and Leo Pilarski, who worked locally at Boss (Glove) Manufacturing. Jim attended Kewanee High School and excelled at football and basketball earning him a scholarship to play both sports at Monmouth College in Monmouth, IL near his hometown. Jim would become the starting quarterback and play point guard for the Fighting Scots. He remained in close contact with this institution for years afterward, participating alumni relations and planning. He also received an MBA from Northern Illinois in 1969. Monmouth College is where he met the love of his life, Judith Sue Anderson, and they would be married in 1966 and for the next 58 years until his death. Together, Jim and Judy, built a family-life and community first in Toledo, OH, and subsequently in Elkhart, IN, Fort Wayne, IN, and finally, in West Lafayette, IN. At the height of the mobile home and recreational vehicle boom of the 80’s, Jim moved from a position at General Motors to several different roles in smaller companies, such as Schult Homes, INC. (Middleberry, IN.), and even started an independent business, called Four J Seating, which was inspired by his family and the need to supply the burgeoning custom Travel-Van market with interior seating and furniture, an insight anticipating the Van-Life genre well before it’s time. He liked to say that you don’t know until you try, which was a sentiment that served him well throughout his life. In more recent years, Jim returned to labor-related work and settled in Fort Wayne, IN working for Majestic Fireplace Corporation and finally the City of Fort Wayne, IN before retiring to West Lafayette, IN to be closer to his grandchildren. Jim was an active member in The Church of the Blessed Sacrament and served on the church’s financial board. It was at this time in his life that Jim began seriously coaching tennis. At the behest of his daughter Jayme, he began working with teams at Benton Central High School in Benton County. Benton Central is a small rural high school, and, in 2023, after building boys and girls tennis teams for seven years, Jim led the Lady-Bison to victory in the Indiana Sectional Championships for the first time since 2006. Jim loved teaching young students and will be remembered by many in this context, including his children, for always being present and involved in their activities. Jim was selfless and determined to help shape young athletes with unconditional love and encouragement. Although Jim was a graduate of School of Hard Knocks, he never coached that way himself. His students often commented on his relaxed demeanor and an ability to listen and respond to their input. Jim is survived by his wife Judy, brother David, son Jason, daughter Jayme, and grandsons Mitchell, Blake, and Lucas. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sharon Burns. In lieu of flowers or material gifts please support your local youth sports programs and go outside and tap a few groundies with your buddies. Contributions to help fund a memorial for Jim may be directed to the Benton Community Foundation (www.bentoncf.org) or via check to Benton Community Foundation, P.O. Box 351, Fowler, IN. RIP James Edward Pilarski. You will be missed. Services will be Thursday, March 6th with visitation from 10 am - 12 pm with mass to follow at Church of the the Blessed Sacrament in West Lafayette, IN. -- Information provide by Jayme Buchanan and the Pilarski Family