GOSHEN — James K. Kouts, an educator who was instrumental in the creation of a scholarship fund for local students attending Purdue University, died Sunday, March 10, at age 69.

He had been hospitalized for a week when he passed away peacefully surrounded by family and members of the exceptional staff of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, Mishawaka.

Jim was born April 14, 1943 in South Bend to Kenneth and Claire (Fuzy) Kouts

He is survived by his sister, Judith Meier, Goshen, his niece, Elizabeth Meier, Belcamp, MD, and numerous loving cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his nephew, Bradley Meier, whom he helped raise.

A 1961 graduate of South Bend Riley High School, Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in 1966 in Social Science from Purdue University’s College of Liberal Arts. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Indiana University in 1970.

Jim worked for Goshen Community Schools for 33 years as a teacher, administrator, and finally as Director of Technology until retiring in 1999. He then became CEO of Software House, an IT consulting firm.

Jim was very active in the community and participated in local service organizations for decades. These organizations included the Maple City Kiwanis Club, Phi Delta Kappa, the Purdue Alumni Association and its Board of Directors, and the Elkhart County Purdue Club, its Board of Directors, and its Foundation. He was a longtime active member of the Maple City Kiwanis Club; after joining in 1979, he went on to serve as Lieutenant Governor in the Land of Lakes division for two years and secretary for the Maple City Kiwanis Club for twenty years.

As a lifetime member of the Purdue Alumni Association, he contributed to numerous Purdue-related efforts including the creation of the Elkhart County Purdue Club, its corresponding Foundation, and its scholarship fund for local students attending Purdue University.

In keeping with Jim’s wishes, cremation will take place and a private memorial service will be held.

In recognition of Jim’s commitment to service, donations can be made in Jim’s name to the Purdue Club of Elkhart County Foundation’s Jim Kouts Scholarship Fund, the Maple City Kiwanis Club’s TOOLS 4 SCHOOLS project, Phi Delta Kappa’s Prospective Educator Scholarships initiative, or a service organization of your choice.

Information regarding donations can be found at www.yoderculpfuneralhome.com.

The family thanks Dean DeVoe for contributing to this biographical summary.