Jacob Duane James

Jacob Duane “Jake” James, 26, of Kutztown, died suddenly on Friday, October 13, 2017 in New Smithville, PA.

Born in Allentown, Jake was a son of Joyce M. (Neville) James, of Kutztown, and Jeffrey D. James, Key West, FL. Jacob was a 2009 graduate of Kutztown Area High School, where he was very involved in the Art Department. Jake also attended Berks Career and Technology Center, Oley, during high school, studying carpentry, and attended Kutztown University.  Most recently, Jake was employed as a truck body assembler at Morgan Corporation, Denver, PA. He had previously worked as a carpenter for his uncle, Carl Arndt Contracting, for 10 years; as a cook at the Krumsville Inn and several other local food establishments; as a groundskeeper at Kutztown University, and as a Dining Supervisor at Bear Creek Mountain Resort, Macungie.  He also had his own "scrapping" business. Jake was a talented artist, drawer and rapper. He enjoyed hiking, hunting, fishing and everything outdoors; BMX bike riding, and spending time with his friends.

Jacob is survived by his Mother and Father; Sister, Katie M. Vallies, Kutztown; 3 Half-Sisters; a Half-Brother; Paternal Grandmother, Doris; one niece, two nephews, and many aunts uncles, cousins and friends. Jake was predeceased by his Maternal Grandparents, Albert L., Jr., and Grace L. (Jacobs) Neville; and his Paternal Grandfather, Jesse D. James.

A memorial service to celebrate Jacob's life will be held on Thursday, October 19, 2017 at 7:00 PM in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and again from 6:00 to 7:00 PM in the funeral home. Burial will be private.

The family requests contributions be made in Jacob's memory to the Jacob D. James Memorial Fund c/o Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., P.O. Box 292, Kutztown, PA  19530-0292, to be distributed to Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kutztown STRONG, and to the Kutztown Area School District's Art Department in the future. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.