James Stephen Hill, Sr.

James Stephen Hill, born on June 1, 1939, in Valparaiso, Indiana, and died on October 2, 2025, in his home in Carmel, Indiana. He was the son of Floyd (Sandy) and Hilda Hill and brother to Mike, who preceded him in death. He was father to Jim (Kimberly) Hill, Susan (Joe) Barrett, Jenne (Scott) Moore and Christine (Jody) Werner – all residents of Carmel, Indiana. He was Papaw to fifteen wonderful children, and had the privilege of being a recent great-grand Papaw to three adorable children. He had many beloved sister and brother in-laws, nieces and nephews. He was a caring physician to countless children.

Dad was raised in the Butler Tarkington neighborhood just north of Indianapolis. He attended St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School. He met the love of his life, Carol Ann Gass, at the young age of fourteen. He was a proud graduate of Cathedral High School, where he ran track and was one of the smaller running backs on the Irish football team. He went on to earn his undergraduate degree from Saint Louis University, forging friendships that would span the decades, and graduated from Indiana University medical school. On July 28, 1963, he and Mom were married. They moved to Fort Hood, Texas where he served as an active-duty physician in the US Army. Following his service, they settled and raised their four children in Fort Wayne, Indiana. They were devoted and faithful parishioners at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church. They lived and forged many friendships on Prange Drive, a Mayberry-esque street in Southwood Park, where kids and dogs ran free and returned home when the streetlights came on. He was a present, loving Dad. He enjoyed the Prange Drive “block” parties each summer, Halloween (he loved wearing a good costume - even in his later years), bike rides to Foster Park, and family cookouts. He set up tents in the backyard for occasional “campouts.” He played catch in the front yard with any lover of baseball. He made sure we had family time every summer at Poco, Orchard Ridge and Lake Wawasee. He instilled in all of us a love for ice cream - his favorites were Zestos, Atz and Dairy Queen.

Dad was a dedicated and highly regarded Pediatrician at Duemling Clinic on Fairfield Avenue, serving as the “town doctor” of the South side of Fort Wayne. In 1986, he made the difficult decision to temporarily move to Indianapolis (while his family remained in Fort Wayne), to follow his calling to become a board-certified pediatric hematologist/ oncologist. He returned to Fort Wayne to continue his Pediatrics practice, and began building his Hematology /Oncology practice from the ground up at Lutheran Hospital. To say Dad was instrumental in founding Lutheran Children’s Hospital in 1999 is a huge understatement. In 2004, Dad was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, Indiana's highest civilian honor for distinguished service to the State of Indiana.

Later in life, he and Mom moved to Carmel to be near their four children and grandchildren. Dad was able to bring his expertise and deep compassion to Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis where he spent 10 years serving Pediatric cancer patients, teaching, and mentoring the next generation of physicians, retiring at the ripe young age of 75. His passion for medicine was matched only by his unwavering commitment to the children and families he served. Dad was known for downplaying each and every one of his accomplishments - he truly believed he was never the smartest in the room. He often referenced his 980 SAT score to aspiring medical students - “you can do it too!!” He was humble, funny, unassuming and kind. He was so proud of all his children, his daughter and sons-in-law and grandchildren.

Mom and Dad built a life centered around their Catholic faith, family, and service. Aside from his family, Dad had an undying love for dogs (Captain, Queenie, Cocoa, Riley, Vegas, Darco and his most recent puppy/mistake, Johnny). He was an avid sports fan - Pacers, Colts, IU and Cubs were his favorite teams. He raised his (we like to say “athletic”) children to love sports as he did. He fully embraced the most recent Pacer’s playoff run, deciding to “take the rubber band off his wallet” to attend two of the playoff games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Dad also loved Budweiser and Scotch, transitioning from J&B in his Fort Wayne days to (finally) some higher-end brands like Glenlivet and Macallan. He had a (healthy) love for gambling, enjoying slots at the Indiana casinos, and even became a Draft Kings player in his final years (with frequent tech support from his family). He loved and cherished his neighbors on Smoky Ridge Court - he was a friend, “extra” father and Papaw to the families that welcomed him into their daily lives and loved him like their own. The cul-de-sac families are truly his second family.

Over the past decade, Dad and Mom shared quiet joys, walking the dogs, cooking, reading, and enjoying all the things Carmel had to offer. They loved spending time with their children (who all lived within a square mile), and grandchildren. In recent years, Dad was able to enjoy spending time with the “Fort Wayne docs” and Cathedral High School friends. He enjoyed frequent phone calls with his dear friends and loved ones that were not close by. Dad was an extrovert - he never met a stranger, interacting with any willing participant: the deli counter person at Kroger; the butcher at Joe’s; the dog-walkers on the Monon Trail. He uplifted anyone that was fortunate enough to cross his path.

But perhaps his most important legacy will be “caretaker of Mom.” Dad served as Mom’s steadfast and dedicated caretaker while she was battling Alzheimer’s. His unwavering devotion to Mom was an extraordinary testament to the depth of his love for her and his character. When Dad could no longer care for Mom in their home, he moved her into the Story Cottage (about a 70-yard pass from his cul-de-sac). He visited her multiple times a day, ensuring she was cared for and happy. After driving what most would characterize as practical cars his entire life, he bought a BMW convertible so that he and Mom could enjoy daily rides together through Meridian Kessler and Butler Tarkington, their old stomping grounds. He said on more than one occasion, “That car was the best decision I ever made.” He became a dear friend to all the Story Cottage employees, residents and their families. To our knowledge, he never missed a day of caring for Mom. He was an example to all of us and will be greatly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, October 9 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, with visitation at Leppert Funeral Home in Carmel, Indiana on Wednesday, October 8th from 4-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Riley Children’s Hospital or the Hamilton County Humane Society.