James Lutts

James “Jim” Ronald Lutts, passed away peacefully on the afternoon of August 21, 2023, being cared for by family members and staff at
The Drake Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was 81 years old. 

Jim was born in Hohenwald, Tennessee on August 15, 1942, and
was the only child to Comer Clyde Lutts and Lucile (Foust) Lutts. 

Jim grew up in Tennessee before the family moved to Ohio for work. He graduated from Princeton High School in 1960 having participated in the band, playing the trombone. 

Jim married Linda Bell on November 2, 1968, and together they welcomed their first child, James Christopher “Chris” one year later. Two daughters followed, Lelle in 1972 and Jennifer in 1975, completing their family. One of Jim’s favorite things to do in his young adult life was to make floral arrangements for weddings. When the family moved to Chicago in 1975, he would often come back to Cincinnati to prepare arrangements for weddings. 

In 1980, the family moved back to Cincinnati, Ohio, to be close to Linda’s parents,
Llano and Glenna Bell, who lived in Lockland, Ohio. Jim started working for General Electric Aviation selling parts for aircraft. This job afforded him many travels across the globe during his time there where he was able to pick up many interesting souvenirs, brought back for his friends and family. He also enjoyed decorating his house with these special mementos and reminiscing with Linda about his travels. 

In his spare time, Jim enjoyed gardening and working in his yard, even winning a landscaping award for his yard on Plum Street in Springdale, Ohio. He was also proud of his coy pond in his backyard and loved doting on his many beloved dogs over the years. They had a special place in his heart. 

Some of Jim’s favorite music included The Gaithers and The Cathedrals and some of his favorite movies included Star Trek, Indiana Jones, The Pink Panther, James Bond, and Agatha Christie mysteries. Other hobbies Jim enjoyed were adult coloring, painting ceramic figures and he was known to enjoy riding water rides with his grandkids. 

Jim was also a fabulous holiday decorator, having decorated church sanctuaries and his homes in decadent fashion, always to the delight of his family, who loved taking pictures in front of his many treasured creations.
Jim even donned his favorite holiday Grinch sweater at the traditional family Christmas Eve gatherings. 

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Comer and Lucile Lutts and his sister, June F. [Lutts] Sisco (Gene),
and his mother-in-law, Glenna Bell. Jim is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda [Bell] Lutts, his three children - Chris (Amy) Lutts, Lelle (Ian) Hedding, and Jennifer (Charles) Means, and his eight grandchildren - Abigail Songer, Colin Lutts, Audrey Songer, Megan Lutts, Taylor Lutts, Tellen Hedding, Finn Hedding and Jacoby Means and by his wonderful father-in-law, Llano C. Bell, as well as many other beloved family members and dear friends.  

A Celebration of Life open house will be hosted at Linda and Jim’s home located at 6912 Gatewood Court in
 West Chester on Friday, September 1st from 1-4 pm. To honor Jim’s love of flowers and plants, the family encourages arrangements to be sent.

Special thanks to VITAS Healthcare and The Drake Center in Cincinnati for their gracious care of Jim in his final days and to the Hodapp Funeral Home in West Chester for their guidance in helping make final preparations.
Also, thank you to the Care Team at Rivers Crossing Church for ministering to the family. 

We love you Jim — thank you for the life you lived and the memories you made with each of us. Rest in Peace.