June 10, 1943 – February 16, 2022
James “Jim” Arthur Wells, 78, of Mitchell, passed away Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis.
Born June 10, 1943, in Potsdam, New York, he was the son of Basil C. and Theda (Fadden) Wells. He married Linda C. Bryant on September 19, 1964.
James retired from General Motors with 36 years of service. He was previously the assistant fire chief and member of the Brasher-Winthrop Fire Department. Jim was past president of the Tri-Town Minor Hockey League. As a major participant, he coached and performed maintenance. Jim loved old farm tractors, cars, tinkering in the garage, and hanging out at the Deers Inn. His biggest love was his family and he had a special relationship with each of his grandchildren. Jim has been a great caretaker for his wife. Jim was a funny guy and liked to joke. He was a 1962 graduate of St. Lawrence Central High School. Jim was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Brasher Falls and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mitchell.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Wells of Mitchell; children, Michele L. (Timothy) Wilder of Cicero, New York, Ross J. Wells of Mitchell, Eric (Jamie) Wells of Salem, Joey Wells of Mitchell; grandchildren, James (Kayla) Wilder, Justin (Kristen) Wilder, Jordan (Nolan), Rogers, Jared Wells, Jamison Wells, Jackson Wells, Kayla (Chandler) Watts, Catherine (Logan) Gore, Kody Wells, and Kirsten Sexton; great-grandchildren, Gracelyn, Liam, Audriana, and Maitlyn; siblings, Bruce (Carolyn) Wells of Brasher Falls, New York, Gary Wells of Massena, New York, Sharon (Wayne) Demcsak of Reston, Virginia, Arnita Clark of Norfolk, New York, Kathleen (Tom) Hazen of Potsdam, New York, Patricia (Bruce) Winers of South Colton, New York; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and several nieces and nephews
He is also survived by his cat, Puddy.
His parents; infant daughter, Jeanette; sister and brother-in-law, Mary and Donald Kerns; brother-in-law, Arthur Clark; sister-in-law, Nancy Sweet; and father and mother-in-law, Bernard and Catherine Bryant preceded him in death.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church with Father Jegan Peter and Deacon Dave Rising officiating. Burial will be at a later date. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Monday at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center.
Memorial gifts can be made in James’ memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com.
