James L. Gasaway (affectionately known as Jim, Jimmy Lee, Red) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on June 23, 2022.

Jim (73) was born in East Chicago in 1948, grew up in Hessville, and graduated from Morton High School in 1968. After graduating he served four years in the United States Air Force including a one-year tour in Vietnam. Upon his honorable discharge from the service, Jim joined the Hammond Fire Department in 1972 and retired as an Assistant Chief in 2001.
Upon retirement Jim became the CEO of Fish-a-way (Cobra Ice Rods) and enjoyed traveling to sports shows with Andy, meeting people, and swapping "the one that got away" stories.
Jim worked hard and played harder. In addition to being a White Sox and Bears fan, he was an avid hunter, fisherman, and outdoor adventurer. He also loved lake-living in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, pulling kids on water skis and teaching them all how to fish.

Jim was kind, caring, and always ready to help a friend. His charismatic personality was infectious and he could always be found surrounded by people that loved him. Jim's jokes and stories kept everyone laughing late into the night, often around a campfire.

Jim leaves behind his loving wife Terry (Dwyer) Gasaway, his children, Kate (Gasaway) Reed (Mike Reed), and Jake Gasaway (Michelle Platt); grandchildren, Max, Kyle, Molly, James, Stella, and Evelyn; sisters, Kay (Gasaway) Morse, Barb (Gasaway) Perkin (Rich), Debbie (Gasaway) Turpin (Lenny); brother-in-law, Bill Martin; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Gasaway and Evelyn (Childers) Gasaway; brothers, Kenny Gasaway (Cathy), and Bobby Gasaway; and sisters, Violet (Gasaway) Ropp (Robert), and Pat (Gasaway) Martin.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sheet's Funeral Home in Lowell, IN., on Friday, July 8th with a visitation from 2-6 pm with a service at 6 pm.

In addition, there will be a small memorial service held in Marquette, MI in the fall. The family will provide details at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of Jim's favorite teams, in his name:

Chicago Bears Foundation: https://www.cgiving.org/donate/BEARSCARE

Or feel free to choose a local charity of your choice.

Friends may leave condolences and tributes to James's family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.

The family has chosen the Jacobs-Plowe Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Crystal Falls, Mich., to honor James's legacy of life.