Mr. James Oscar Wells, Jr., 87, of Rochester, passed away at 10:58 AM, Tuesday, March 31st, at Parkview Regional Medical Center of Fort Wayne. On July 22, 1927, Jim was born in Peru to James Oscar and Dolly May Harmon Wells Sr. Growing up he shared his childhood with a brother Eugene. When Jim was 9 years old his father J. O. Wells Sr., bought a farm west of Rochester. He developed a fond attachment to farming. In 1945 he graduated from Peru High School then joined the United States Army. Jim was a member of the 114th Army ground force band. His stint with the European tour was completed during the occupational phase. Following his honorable discharge Jim returned stateside, enrolling at Earlham College where he studied economics and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1951. During his tenure at Earlham he spent two summers studying economics in Mexico City. After graduating from Earlham he was employed at B. F. Goodrich, Procurement for the military at Wright Patterson AFB, building a housing development with his Dad and brother Eugene. Later, Jim continued his formal education at Valparaiso University Law School graduating in 1965. Jim first married Jeanne Justine Smith. Their union produced a son, James Oscar Wells III. After getting married to Jeanne and working various jobs, Jim started farming. Later, even after finishing law school, he still was actively engaged in farming. Even after his son had taken over he found great joy in fixing tile and digging it up by hand. The Wells Law Office was established in 1966, as Jim provided many clients around the area with legal assistance. He retired in 2014 after nearly a half century of continuous service. Attorney Wells served Fulton County as prosecuting attorney, being elected in 1966 and serving two terms from 1967 - 1974. He later completed Steve Stinson's term from 1977 - 1978. Jim enjoyed running, kayaking, canoeing, and cross country skiing. In 1985 he went on a trip to Russia to cross country ski. The trip and Jim were recognized in ski journals and Sports Illustrated. In 1948 Jim climbed Popocatepetl 5286m (17,343 ft.) with the Alpine Club of Mexico. Forty years later, in 1988, Jim returned with his son Oscar and climbed Popocatepetl for a second time. On December 23, 1989, Jim and Christine Whitmore Kline were married near Rochester. They recently, in December of 2014, celebrated 25 years of marriage. In addition to sharing the interest of law, Jim and Christine enjoyed many travels together. Their favorite destinations are Switzerland, South Padre Island, Texas, and Sault St. Marie, MI where they enjoyed trekking the trails of cross country skiing. Each summer they traveled multiple times to Stratford, Ontario, to enjoyed the Shakespeare Festival. In 2006 Jim traveled with fellow alumni of Earlham College to Palestine on a mission of peace and to visit the Friends School of Ramallah. Jim gained an appreciation for the struggles of the Palestinians. The summer of 2014 brought on yet another adventure. Oscar and Jim traveled to Alaska. Trekking out on their own agenda via motor coach, Jim was intrigued with the wildlife unique to the area and enjoyed the inherent beauty of the landscape. Jim volunteered with the Boy Scouts of America, eventually receiving the Silver Beaver award for his efforts. He worked for the benefit of the council and also helped with our local scout troop 219. Some of the adventures he enjoyed with troop 219 included trips to Philmont, Maine and a 5 day climb of Mount Rainer in which all participants summited successfully. To relax, Jim and Christine listened to the music of Cole Porter and classical composers, of which Handel's Messiah was his favorite. They also enjoyed Shakespeare. Jim enjoyed reading poetry and was an author of poetry. Each day brought on new observations while seated at the kitchen table. They created a wildlife sanctuary with multiple feeding stations befriending the birds, deer and squirrels that visited their back yard. They both enjoyed weekly excursions to Green Oak Antiques to see what was new. Jim was a member of the Fulton County Bar Association, Fulton County Historical Society, the American Legion and V.F.W. He was a member of Rochester Rotary for over 50 years and was a Paul Harris Fellow and a past president for our local club. He also held memberships of interest with the Eiteljorg Museum of Southwest Art in Indianapolis and the Chicago Museum of Art. Left to cherish Jim's memory are his wife Christine, and their blended family: James Oscar Wells III and Mendi Carroll of Rochester, Mike Kline and wife Missy of Nashville, Cindy Courson and husband Brian of Danville, IL, Charlene Baillieul and husband Scot of Rochester, Rebecca Johnson and husband Jared of Carmel; grandchildren: Oliver Greely Wells and wife Kristie, Emily Jean Wells and husband Jason Biggerstaff, James "Auggie" Oscar Wells IV; Matthew, Zachery, Jacob, Anya and Elias Kline, Isabella, Connor, Caleb and Jessica Courson; Leiton Haack and Brodey Baillieul; Evan and Ashton Johnson; and a great grandson, Owen Grissom Wells. Preceding Jim in death are his parents and two brothers: Eugene Harmon Wells, one in infancy; and his former wife Jean. The family will receive friends, celebrating the life of James O. Wells Jr. from 3:00 - 6:00, Saturday, April 4th in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 West 18th Street, Rochester. His family requests casual attire. Military rites will be accorded by the Fulton County Honor Guard and the US Army Honor's Team at 6:00 P.M.