Dr. James Paul Louis

Dr. James Paul Louis departed this life on November 30, 2024. Born May 13, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Mortimer and Olga (Paulsen) Louis, James and brother, Richard, grew up in the city. A fond childhood memory was attending a Brooklyn Dodgers’ World Series game, and seeing an aging Babe Ruth in the stands. He also enjoyed summers at Camp Hawthorne in Raymond, Maine as a camper, and later, as a counselor. James attended Polytechnic Preparatory Country Day School where he excelled in his studies, played football and ran track. After graduation, he followed his older brother to Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. At Colgate, he was a leader in many capacities, including the following roles: Editor-in Chief of the Colgate Maroon, president of his Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Student Senate, and was a founding member of the Jeter-Lester Club dedicated to the art of procrastination. (They have yet to hold a meeting). James graduated second in his class at Colgate in 1960, and continued his academic course at Harvard University, where he received a PhD in History, focusing on the Progressive Era.

 Dr. Louis came to Kent, Ohio with former wife and mother to his daughters, Dawn Maron, in 1966 for a one year appointment as a history professor at Kent State University. That one year appointment extended 38 years, and included a vast number of responsibilities at the university including, professor, assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences, and Associate Provost. He was recognized for his teaching and leadership. One of his proudest honors was being recognized by the Student Advisory Council for Outstanding Teaching in its first ever granting. This was given in June of 1970 after a semester of campus unrest and tragedy. Its significance touched his heart. He kept it framed and displayed for the rest of his life. 

 Dr. Louis made Kent, Ohio his home, and was a staple in the community. He was a proud father to his daughters Anne, Susan and Karen. He attended all of their events growing up: coaching softball games, attending track and cross country meets (no matter how far), witnessing play and choir performances, among other displays of constant support. Always a historian, he clipped and catalogued his daughters’ newspaper mentions, some of which made it into scrapbooks, but most were archived in his dresser drawers along with other life event mementoes. Going through them was a trip back into his girls’ lives. 

 He was often spotted in the community on walks, runs, dinners at the Pufferbelly, breakfasts at Wild Goats and Tree City Coffee, or outside the Kent State Library or MAC Center, puffing thoughtfully on his once ubiquitous pipe. He truly enjoyed the city as his home, and those he encountered as friends.

 An avid sports fan, he was a fixture at Kent State Basketball games and was a particular fan of the women’s program, for whom he endowed a scholarship. He embraced Cleveland sports’ teams, despite the challenge of loyalty to his NYC roots in doing so. He shared season tickets when Jacob’s Field was built, and witnessed firsthand the program’s ascension into contention. 

 James is survived by his daughters Anne (Joe) Ilcus of Jupiter, Florida, Susan (Matt Pazderak) of Silver Lake, and Karen (Theo Dimitriou) of Los Angeles, California, his sister-in- law, Kristan Louis of Mah Wah, NJ, and his nephew, Andrew (Rasdy) Louis of Arlington, Virginia. He is also survived by his 6 beloved grandchildren: Chloe and Joey Ilcus, James Dimitriou, and Owen, Ben and Maggie Pazderak. He and his family are deeply grateful to his dedicated caretaker, Fancie McGuire, who saw him through many years with dignity, grace and a wonderful sense of humor. James was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, his nephew, Paul Louis, and his great-nephew, Desmond Singh Louis. 

 In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to WKSU in his name, or to your favorite nonprofit organization. Tip your servers 100% gratuity during the holidays, and cheer extra loudly for the KRHS and KSU Women’s Basketball teams (and hold the refs accountable), A final tribute might be as simple as enjoying a black raspberry ice cream cone, or an extra dry martini on the rocks (twist of lemon), at your favorite local establishment. 

 In honoring his wishes, James will be cremated and there will be no public services.

 Cremation services under the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.