James Donovan Lundin

He was surrounded by the love of family, his wife bedside him constantly, and many caregivers, he found peace and entered heaven. For a man who wrote eulogies for others, sermons, a plethora of journals full of stories and his thoughts, we will always be comforted with the written words he left us. Here in this obituary, there are not enough words to paint the life of the father, husband, and minister; as well as the musically talented, intelligent, ornery, silly, serious, cerebral, and adventurous man.

Born on January 6, 1942 in St. Francis, Kansas (“Sainty”) to Eugene Joel Lundin and Mildred Elaine Connett, he is survived by his wife Joy Reed Lundin; his brother, Dale Lundin, and Linda Martin Smith; his children: Sarah Lundin-Erickson, Rebekah Lundin, Jenny Lundin, and Joshua Lundin; his grandchildren: Naomi Gray, Samuel Anderson, Oona Erickson, and Suvi Erickson and Son-in-Law, Levi Erickson and Grandson-in-law Nat Gray.

While a youth in St. Francis High School, Jim committed to the goal of earning the best instrumentalist which led to being the first drummer awarded in the state of Kansas, the John Phillip Sousa Award. He also earned the Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts, which came with many written-down stories, some full of orneriness and pranks in between the lessons learned while earning badges. He also enjoyed chess and became a swim instructor and lifeguard in high school, which helped pay his way through college.

As a man who loved books (learning to speed read in a college), for most of his life read between 1-3+ books a day. Naturally, his ambitions early on for learning earned him a B.S. in Sociology with a Minor in Music at Fort Hays State College in Kansas, a Teaching Certificate at Drake University in Iowa, and finally, a Masters degree from Boston University School of Theology in 1968 (in sum, 9 years of college including a full scholarship at one school). A most remarkable part of his college career was traveling the world and in the states as a drummer for a singing group out of Fort Hays, The Impromptwos, which performed on USO Tours (Greenland, S.Korea, and more) and also, a short time of entertaining at Disneyland. Accompanied with his amazing drum playing, hilarious antics onstage evoked laughter from audiences everywhere. A visit abroad stirred a quest for meaning around this time in the 60’s, and resulted in his earnest study of theology at BU, where he adopted the Quaker faith prior to his Methodist career as a minister.

At his first church, Lunenburg United Methodist Church in Vermont, Jim met his very beloved wife, Joy Reed. Jim preached at numerous churches throughout his life: from Valley Falls, NY to Idalia, Longmont, and Fleminig, Colorado to Lisbon, Newport, and Salem, New Hampshire to Bridgton, Maine and so on. He led youth groups, hiking in Colorado; sang in choirs, played his Congas with praise songs at the front of the church; headed large church camps; and preached some of the most inspiring and thoughtful sermons. Jim finally retired after 36 years of ministry, moving from Salem, NH to Charlotte, NC, substitute preaching in nearby churches, collecting and reading some 20,000 books he brags!

Jim's children fondly remember commutes coupled with thoughtful talks about “meaning of life” and “what’s your purpose?” Additionally, wanderlust was seeded in all his children. On family trips, a trek across a dam or The Golden Gate Bridge resulted in First Place blue ribbons when they’d arrive back home. Throughout his life, it was imperative to show others' places, from sending mom, kids, and even grandkids on international trips to taking youth groups. Lastly, Jim would hands-down support the ambitions or interests his kids set their minds on, helping in any way he could.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 27, 2023 at Myers Park United Methodist Church - Francis Chapel, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC. A reception with refreshments will follow the service in the Jubilee Hall.

A Second Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at St. Francis United Methodist Church - Francis Chapel, 104 W. Webster Street, St. Francis, KS 67756. A reception with refreshments will be held prior from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. Burial will follow the service in St. Francis United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.