Longtime educator dies at age 82

Sam Shoemaker, who was instrumental in the launching of Jay County Development Corporation and served as the first executive director of John Jay Center for Learning, died Wednesday at Hamilton Trace Nursing Home in Fishers.

He was 82. He had been in failing health for some time. His death was attributed to COVID-19.

A teacher, coach and administrator in Jay County schools for 45 years, Shoemaker played a leadership role in economic development in the 1980s, donning a red sport jacket to promote industrial development locally at a time of record unemployment.

Born in Plymouth, he moved to Portland with his family when he was 7 years old. He graduated from Portland High School in 1955 and went on to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Ball State University.

Shoemaker served as assistant principal at Jay County High School from the day it opened its doors in 1975 to 1993, when he became director of adult education.

In a profile in The Commercial Review in 2004 when he retired from his position at John Jay, Shoemaker said he found adult education particularly rewarding.

“The students are motivated,” he said. “And they come here to learn. It’s really fun to watch them grow. The reward in education is when the lightbulb goes on.”

A member of Asbury United Methodist Church, Shoemaker had served on the board of First National Bank and was an active member of the Portland Lions Club.

Private services will be conducted at Baird-Freeman Funeral Home.

A full obituary appears on thecr.com