James Sakalares

James Lawrence Sakalares, 68, passed away at Methodist Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 11, 2024. It is with profound sadness his loved ones recognize he is no longer fighting the battle of kidney disease and is now with his parents in heaven. 

Jim was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, on September 30, 1956. He was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret Vose Sakalares, and his father, William Sakalares. Jim excelled as an athlete from a young age when he played baseball as a pitcher with a mean curveball, and was also a talented basketball player winning the Most Valuable Player Award at the National Hellenic Invitational Basketball Tournament in Detroit, Michigan in 1973. After graduating from Homewood Flossmoor High School in 1974, Jim went on to attend Eastern Illinois University where he graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Political Science. Jim was also a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. After graduating Jim moved to Phoenix, Arizona where he accepted a position with Hyatt Regency Phoenix as an event coordinator. Jim returned to the Midwest in 1981 and found his way into the golf business. In 2012, after the death of his father, Jim moved to Brownsburg, Indiana and found his landing spot at West Chase Golf Club. An accomplished golfer, Jim also loved the workings of the golf world. Jim once said one of his favorite things was to line the kids up on the driving range at West Chase on the last day of golf camp and give them a bucket of balls. He would then drive the picker out on the range and the kids would take aim at him. To hear the kids laughing and enjoying golf meant everything to him. Jim was known by the family as having an amazing ability to find the funniest and best birthday cards around and never missed a birthday. Jim will be deeply missed by his siblings, Janis Spence (Brownsburg) Chris Griffin Owen (Jeff) Santa Rosa, California, Mark Sakalares (Jay) Chicago, Illinois, Bill Sakalares (Julie) Rogers, Arkansas; nieces and nephews, Jason, Jaimie, and Justin Griffin, Nick (Allison) Spence, Troy Spence, Amanda and Will Sakalares, and Jillian Sakalares; great-nieces and nephews, Madyson, Maya, Hadley, and Easton Spence and Zander Hemp.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at West Chase Golf Club

 4 Hollaway Blvd. Brownsburg, Indiana 

on Friday, November 8, 2024, 3PM until 6PM.

If so inclined, the family is requesting any memorial donations be made to First Tee Indiana in Jim’s name to further promote the game of golf.

Arrangements are entrusted to Eric MD Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services.  All are encouraged to share thoughts, prayers, and memories with Jim’s family on his memorial page found on the funeral home’s website, www.ericmdbell.com .