James A. Acres
James A. Acres, 67, retired Columbia City Police Officer and former Chief of Police, died at 12:13 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 10, 2019. He had been battling cancer.
He was born April 10, 1951, in Kendallville, a son of the late Audes “Ace” and Alta (Moore) Acres. His formative years were spent in Whitley County, where he attended Coesse Elementary School and graduated from Columbia City Joint High School in 1969.
On June 21, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Martha K. Lehman. They have always made their home in the Columbia City area.
He began his work career with his parents in their local businesses, Acres Bait & Tackle and Acres Wrecker Service. From 1973 until 1976, he owned and operated Jim’s Southpoint 66 at Main and Chicago Streets. In 1976, he joined the Columbia City Police Department and was the first officer of the department to graduate from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. Before his retirement in 1996, he served the department in various capacities including Chief. He then worked for Northeastern Indiana REMC as their security supervisor retiring in 2015. He was an active member of the Columbia Township Volunteer Fire Department since 1987 and sexton of the Columbia Township cemeteries.
He was known for his calm and affable personality. His willingness to help others lead him to his career in law enforcement and a volunteer firefighter. He enjoyed fishing, camping and riding his Gold Wing motorcycle.
He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Martha; their children, Rene L. (Marty) Reynolds, Sandwich, Ill.; and Timothy A. (Kara) Acres, Columbia City; grandchildren, Jayma, Jackson and Jacob Acres, and Christian, Caleb and Samantha Reynolds; and two sisters, Janet (Denny) Grammar, Kokomo and Joyce (Ron) Baer, LaOtto.
The funeral service is 10:30 a.m. Monday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City. Burial is in the Nolt Cemetery. Visitation is 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home with an Indiana Volunteer Firefighters Association service at 7 p.m.
Preferred memorials are to the Columbia Twp. Volunteer Fire Department Memorial Fund or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.