James Wm ‘Fooey’ Fulwider

James Wm "Fooey" Fulwider, 87, of Leesburg, died at 3:08 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, at his home.
He was born on Oct. 15, 1938, in Wabash, to Russell and Allegra "Babe" Elliott Fulwider.
Jim lived a full and deeply connected life, marked by his love for his family, dedication to his work, loyalty to his friends, and a lifelong love for his communities. A 1956 graduate of Wabash High School, he went on to earn his B.S. in Business from Indiana University in 1960, later expanding his expertise as a certified arborist, earned from the International Society of Agriculture in 1995. On Jan. 5, 1985, he married Patricia A. Jewell Armie in Oswego - a partnership that became one of the great joys of his life.
Jim’s professional journey was long and varied. He began his career with General Tire and Rubber Company from government sales to assistant manager in personnel from 1960 to 1964. He then spent nearly three decades with Bertsch Food Service, from district manager to executive vice president. In 1992, he embarked on a new chapter as co‑owner and president of Signature Tree Company Incorporated, leading the business until his retirement in 2022. He was an active member of many organizations, including the Tippecanoe Lake Country Club, the Elks, the Honeywell House Board of Directors, Wabash Presbyterian Church, Wabash Country Club, Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and the Indiana University Alumni Association, where he was a lifetime member.
Jim embraced life with enthusiasm. He loved fishing trips with his buddies in the 60s and 70s, cheering on IU basketball and football, and gathering for Breakfast Club and Friday night dinners. He treasured traveling with Patty, more than 40 years of golf trips with cherished lifelong friends, reunions with his 1956 classmates, and time spent with his IU Beta brothers. His life was rich with friendship, tradition, and adventure - a testament to the relationships he built and the joy he brought to others.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia A. Fulwider, of Leesburg; four children: Max E. Fulwider, of Nashville, Tenn.; Chris E. (Kelli) Armie, of Milford; Jill E. (Richard) Chagnon, of Alpine, Calif.; and Phillip M. Armie, of Warsaw; grandchildren: Nola G. Fulwider, of Nashville, Tenn.; Roger (Amy) Chagnon, of San Diego, Calif.; Elizabeth (Marjorie Cook) Chagnon, of Richmond, Va.; Peter Chagnon, of Alpine, Calif.; Luke M. Armie Joyce, of Syracuse; Amanda Armie and Anthony Wooten, both of Tempe, Ariz.; Whitney Jordan, of Larwill; Amber (Josh) Bellamy, of Syracuse; and Kayleigh Daily, of Indianapolis; six great-grandchildren; in-laws, Rita J. Richardson, of Phoenix, Ariz.; Marsha J. Weinberg, of Germantown, Md.; Phillip W. Norris, of Punta Gorda, Fla.; Steve Henderson, of Wabash; and David (Debbie) Henderson, of Atlanta, Ga.; former wife, Linda L. Fulwider, of Nashville, Tenn.; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Samuel P. Fulwider; brother, Robert E. Fulwider; and sisters-in-law: Ruby Jewell Hendrix Norris, Betty Lane Fulwider and Sue Henderson; and mothers-in-law, Mary E. Jewell Henderson and Blanche L. Lindemuth.
A special thank you to Ramona Keller, RN, and Kaela Locke, aide, as well as other caregivers of Heart to Heart Hospice, for their devoted care.
Per Jim's wish, there will be no services. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
Fooey's gift to family and friends: "Have a little fun every day ... and sometimes a whole lot."
Preferred memorials are Indiana University Loyal Alumni Fund, PO Box 500, Bloomington, IN 47402; Kosciusko Community Foundation, 102 E. Market St., Warsaw, IN 46580; Wabash County Museum, 36 E. Market St., Wabash, IN 46992; or Tunnels to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306.
The memorial guest book for Jim may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.