James Fredrick Metcalfe, Jr.

James (Fred) Fredrick Metcalfe, Jr., 81, of Peru, IN, passed away on February 8, 2023, at Cardinal Care Strategies in Muncie, IN. He was surrounded by Love and family and entered his eternal home peacefully.

Fred was born on June 8, 1941, in Marion, IN, to James Fredrick Metcalfe and Lula May (Ammerman) Metcalfe. Lula May and James first met at a Big Band dance before WWII when their eyes met from across the dance floor. Fred gained his love for music and dancing from them both. Fred’s best memories from childhood were all the times he spent with Terry Brooks and the Brooks family. There was always joy and laughter in the room when Fred shared stories of Terry and his adventures.

In 1955, Fred’s father took him to his first Indy 500 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. This was the beginning of Fred’s passion for motor car racing. He was sure to share and pass on his love for racing to his nephew, Dennis Cassel, and his son Jimmie, who continue the tradition of spending the month of May at the track.

After graduating from Peru High School in 1959, Fred began working at Indiana Bell Telephone Company, where he would remain until his retirement in 2004, by which time the company eventually became part of AT&T.

Fred was a talented athlete and loved to skate and run. In 1963, Fred was named the Senior Men’s National Speed Skating Champion, and also enjoyed DJ’ing at the Carousel Roller Rink for many years. He also was a speed skating coach and taught many children and youth over the years.

In 1964, Fred was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War and served state side at a base in Arizona as a military policeman. When he left the service in 1966, he returned home and met the love of his life, Janet Sue Metcalfe, whom he married in 1972 and went on to have two children, James (Jimmie) Fredrick Metcalfe, III, and Darcy Metcalfe.

Fred was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Becky Iliff and Janice Mesaros. He is survived by sisters Nancy (Jerry) Cover of Peru, IN, and Ella Ruth (Chuck) Warran of Daphne, AL; children Jimmie Metcalfe of Peru, IN, and Darcy Metcalfe of Findlay, OH; and grandchildren Leighton Metcalfe of Peru, IN, and Coltrane Metcalfe of Findlay, OH.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 17th from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Eikenberry Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main Street, Peru, IN, followed by a Celebration of Life at 7 p.m. If you would like, please bring a good memory of Fred to share. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made through the funeral home in his name to the American Alzheimer’s Association.

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