James E. Bain, 78, of Plymouth, IN passed away on August 25, 2020 at home surrounded by his family. Born in Logansport, IN on January 8, 1942, Jim was the son to Hugh (Scotty) and Mary (Smith) Bain. He graduated from Logansport High School with the class of 1959. He married Jeanette Pownell on July 15, 1962 in Logansport, IN. Jim was the owner and “CEO” of Bain Equipment Company for 30 years selling, installing and repairing dock levelers, dock seals and rack systems for the manufacturing industry in Northern Indiana, retiring in 2005. He was very loyal to his clients and they returned that loyalty due to his unwavering commitment to quality and always being a “man of his word”.
For the past 15 years, he and Jeanette would spend their summers in Plymouth and winters in Florida biding time between his “favorite” daughter in Plymouth and “more favorite” son in Florida. Jim had a great sense of “warped” humor and loved to tell jokes that were often “too soon” that he proudly passed down to his son and daughter who, as part of his will, inherited edit rights to his obituary.
Jim was the ultimate handy man and there really wasn’t anything that he couldn’t build or fix. Anybody that needed help, he was always willing to grab his tools and lend a hand. If it required slotted angle, he would “over engineer” a solution to make it worthy of surviving a tank blast. If you were ever on the receiving end of Jim’s handy work, you better hope that you never have to take it back apart without having a saws-all or a few sticks of dynamite.
Every morning for years, he would meet with a group of men in Plymouth for coffee before starting his workday. Jim could always command a crowd, whether it be his friends or family, and tell stories that typically involved a punch line or had some sort of over-exaggerated “random useless fact”. He enjoyed fishing, playing card and dice games and billiards (plus a multitude of other superfluous activities that can’t be put in print), but most importantly he loved to spend time with his children and grandchildren attending all of their sporting events, band concerts and graduations. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jeanette of Plymouth; his children, Kelly (Gene) Skirvin of Plymouth and Scott (Carol) Bain of Wesley Chapel, FL; grandchildren, Evan (Kayla) Skirvin, Hayden Skirvin, Payton Skirvin, and Katlyn (Jordan) Hughes, Kelsey Bain (Stephen Taylor) and Zackary Bain; and brothers, Rick (Chris) Bain of Baltimore, OH and Hugh (Kris) Bain of Brownsburg, IN. James was preceded in death by his parents. A celebration of life will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Heart Association: www2.heart.org.
Shirley Gidley says
Have known them for so many years and Jim was always such a caring man of his family and with a smile and a wave.
He loved his wife so much and his children
I know that his later years were not what he wanted but he was loved by all his family.
May he have eternal rest.
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder says
So very sorry about your loss.
Most sincerely,
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder
Carolyn Mills-Utter says
So sorry to learn of Jim’s passing. Prayers for the family!ðŸ™ðŸ™
Mary Lou Leavell Bernett says
Dear Jeanette, Kelly, and Scott,
Please know that I am so sorry to read about Jim’s death. I remember our years of friendship with such fondness, all the memories, the laughter, and especially when Jim (with our help..) built the mezzanine in the Court House for me. What an adventure that was. I know he had a very special friendship with Tom L for many years.
Although I have been gone from Plymouth a very long time, I still look back on that part of my life with much affection and happiness. You are all in my thoughts, prayers, and memories.
Please take care and know that the pain will ease eventually, not ever go away, but ease a bit.
Fondly, Mary Lou Leavell Bernett
Arlene McCan says
Rog and I extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We shared a lot of good times together.
Peace and comfort,
Arlene McCan
Jeanie Martin says
My friend. My confidant. Jim was such a wonderful man! He so loved Jeanette, Kelly and Scott. And those grandkids were his world. The last few yrs have not been kind! I know he is in a better place but he would rather be here with all of you! I hope some day to meet again! Many blessings to Jeanette, Kelly and Scott he will always be there with you!! Love to you all!
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder says
Sending you our sincere thoughts and our sympathy. Jim was a lot of fun, to be around.
Sincerely,
Ren and Beverly Van Gilder
Tina Morales says
Kelly and Gene, I extend my sympathy to you at the passing of your father. I did not know him, but he sounded like one heck of a fun guy according to his obituary. Peace to you in the coming days.
Melanie VanDyck says
Scott, Kelly and families,
I am so sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing. I just loved him. He always brought a smile to my face and was always so kind. I have so many good memories of him and his sense of humor. You are all in my thoughts as this difficult time.
Melanie (Girten) VanDyck
Jennie Powers says
Jenette and family, so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Prayers for your comfort and peace.
Jennie &Jack Powers
Cindi Eads says
Deepest sympathy to you and your family.
Jim was always so nice to me and my husband Roger.
Dave & Linda Zeider says
So sorry to hear about Jim. We always enjoyed our chats with both of you. May he RIP. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Donna March says
Jeanette,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband. You had many wonderful years together and will always cherish your memories. My condolences to you and your children.
Ken Shilt says
Jeanette, Scott and Kelly,
I’m sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. Losing a loved one is never easy, regardless of the circumstances. I loved talking to him whether I was collecting for the paper route or after a ball game. During these difficult times, may you find comfort and strength from friends and family as you remember a full life. Tears are the price we must pay for loving someone. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Mike & Dawn Pynaert says
Jeanette, Kelly and Family,
We are so sorry for your loss. You always knew where you stood with Jim. He lived by his principles and convictions, both in family and work; a quality rare and admirable. Old school all the way. He knew his role as a husband, father, grandfather, and friend, and acted accordingly. Blessings he took seriously.
Heaven will have the best looking grass now. RIP Jim.
Sending you all prayers, love, and hugs,
Michael & Dawn Pynaert (Lewisville, TX)