James R. Lindon, of Downers Grove, a former longtime Hinsdale resident, passed away Nov. 9, 2024.
Jim was born in Chicago and spent his later childhood and adolescence in Hinsdale, where he attended local public schools. Jim graduated in 1958 from Illinois State University, where he majored in English and history.
He taught both disciplines during his career at Hinsdale Central High School and earned a master's degree in writing from DePaul University in Chicago. Rhetoric, exposition, argumentation and research were a rewarding teaching focus, along with tutoring small groups of students in Central's Writing Center to hone their skills. He also started a Mock Trial team that won second place in the state, which was a special honor, as was being named Who's Who Among America's Teachers for teaching excellence.
Outside interests - such as woodworking, where he focused on classical moldings, small furniture making, restoring and building clock cases and painted and etched illustrations - fulfilled Jim's creative side. Another passion was voice acting as a member of Chuck Shaden's Old Time Radio Players, who performed at community organizations and at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
Jim loved nature, and his favorite sport was fly fishing closer to home on the Au Sable River in Michigan and casting into the rifles of classic western mountain headwaters.
Such a person as Jim with many talents is often referred to as a "Renaissance Man." He has left a significant impression and caring memory on many.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Lindon; his daughter, Sara Doran; and his half-sister, Susan Lambrecht Franke.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Community Presbyterian Church, 39 N. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills. Interment is private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Natural Resources Defense Council online at nrdc.org/give, Trout Unlimited online at http://www.tu.org or Community Presbyterian Church's Legacy Endowment Fund, 39 N. Prospect Ave., Clarendon Hills, IL 60514.
Brian Powell Funeral Directors of Hinsdale handled the arrangements.
