James "Jimmie, Jim" Frederick Metcalfe, III

James (Jimmie, Jim) Frederick Metcalfe, III, 45, of Peru, IN, passed away on July 19, 2023. He was surrounded by family and friends in his home when he transitioned peacefully into his Eternal Home.

Jimmie was born on December 14, 1977, in Peru, IN, to James Frederick Metcalfe, Jr. and Janet Sue (Nichols) Metcalfe. Jimmie grew up in south Peru and spent most of his childhood on countless basketball courts, loving the game and perfecting his shot. His younger sister, Darcy Metcalfe, claims she taught him everything he knows about the game, but this remained a topic that was hotly debated by the siblings up until his passing. As a child, Jimmie enjoyed attending Taylor University Basketball Camp in the summer and remained a coach at the camp every summer throughout his life. He loved all the people committed to the Taylor Basketball Camp and served as mentor and friend to hundreds of children that came through the camp each summer.

After graduating from Peru High School in 1996, Jimmie went on to play basketball at both Florida Atlantic University and Indiana State University, graduating from the latter in 2001. After graduation, Jimmie worked as a high school teacher and basketball coach at different high schools in Indiana, including Warren Central High School, Indianapolis; Carmel High School, Carmel; Pioneer High School, Royal Center; and Peru High School, Peru. 

Jimmie was a coach who cared about the game but cared even more about the well-being and personal growth of his players. In the last months of his life, Jim’s family was contacted by countless former players who expressed their gratitude for the impact Jim had on their lives—on and off the court. As much as he loved the game, he loved the people the most and was a committed friend and mentor to the many kids and young men he coached. 

For the last five years, Jimmie worked for Cabinetworks Group, where he worked as a regional account specialist. Jim was proud of his work with Cabinetworks Group and enjoyed the friendships and comradery he shared with so many of his co-workers. They remained a steady presence of encouragement throughout his battle with cancer.

Two of Jimmie’s favorite past-times were Notre Dame football and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and he had season tickets to both. His love for the Indy 500 was passed down to Jim from his grandfather and father, James Frederick Metcalfe and James Frederick Metcalfe, Jr., and his cousin Denny Cassel. His affinity for Notre Dame football was also passed down from his father, and as a child, Jimmie and his sister painted the family’s backyard like the Notre Dame football field every Fall and hosted neighborhood football games.

Jimmie was preceded in death by his father, James Frederick Metcalfe, Jr. He is survived by his daughter, Leighton Metcalfe, Peru, IN, whom he loved with all his heart. He is also survived by his mother, Janet Metcalfe, sister, Darcy Metcalfe, and nephew, Coltrane Metcalfe—all of Findlay, OH. 

As a reflection of who Jim was as a person, he also had many people in his life whom he embraced and included as family. Jim was a brother to Tyler Miller and Holly Weaver, and an uncle to Case Weaver, Royal Center, IN. He was a brother to Corey and Karen Berfield, and an uncle to Ally and Trystan Berfield, Indianapolis, IN. He was a brother to Jason and Malissa Hatch, and an uncle to Tatum, Harper, and Addison Hatch, Brownsburg, IN. Stephanie VanBaalen was a committed friend to Jim and is considered part of the Metcalfe family. He was a brother to Dustin and Beth Hays, and an uncle to Bailey, Hunter, and Walker Hayes and Blake, Bryce and Brooke Pond, Peru, IN. He was also a brother to Kevin and Audrey Alsup, and uncle to Kevin, Tasha, Kaleb, Isaac, Jon, and Talia Alsup, Marion, IN.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 23, from 1 – 5 p.m., at Eikenberry Eddy Funeral Home, 84 W. Main Street, Peru, IN. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held on Monday, July 24, at 11 a.m. at The First Baptist Church, at 53 E. Main St., Peru, IN. Rev. Ryan Bradney, Evansville, IN, will be presiding. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made through the funeral home in Jimmie’s name to the University of Taylor Basketball Camp or Ascending Angels, Inc. Jim was on the board of Ascending Angels, Inc. of Indianapolis, which is a non-profit agency that provides burial options in a cemetery garden for those who have financial need.  

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James "Jimmie, Jim" Frederick Metcalfe, III, please visit our floral store.