Jim Luty, 87, passed away July 30, 2010, at Heritage Hills Care Center in Nephi, Utah. He had been receiving care there since July 19th, when he required professional care after several debilitating strokes.
Jim was born May 12, 1923, in Delaware Twp, Hunterdon Co., NJ. He was the second of five children born to Konstanty and Rosalia Potoczniak Luty, who had separately emigrated to America through Ellis Island from Poland. Jim grew up in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
The Army Air Corps and World War II brought Jim to Utah, where he met a beautiful, red-headed girl who became his wife for 58 years. Corris Jackson, of Toquerville, UT, was in Salt Lake City attending beauty school. It was love at first sight. After a two-week courtship, they were married on November 5, 1944, in Riverside, CA. One month later, Jim was assigned to India and Burma for nearly a year and in the process “went around the world.” They would often brag that they never had an argument their first year of marriage.
Returning from the war, Jim found Corris in ill health. After spending time in Utah, while she recuperated, Jim took her back to New Jersey, where they settled and became parents of two daughters.
Jim joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their marriage was solemnized in 1953, and the sealing of their daughters in 1983, both took place in the St. George LDS Temple. Jim’s service in the church included becoming the first Bishop of the Ashford Connecticut Ward after serving as Branch President.
Employment opportunities brought the family to Hampton, NH, for four years and eventually to CT, where for more than 20 years Jim owned and operated Stafford Beverage Co., a private soda bottling plant in Stafford Springs, CT.
Upon retiring, Jim brought Corris back to her beloved Utah’s Dixie. An avid golfer until the last few years of life, Jim loved the mild climate.
Jim’s first language was Polish. When Jim and Corris went on trips to Poland with their daughters in 1998 and 1999, he was the interpreter. During those trips, they met relatives who they hadn’t known existed.
Jim had several small dogs over the years. His last dog, Mr. Jiggs was his constant companion after Corris’ death. Jiggs is lost without him.
His favorite hymn was “Because I Have Been Given Much.” He truly lived the words of this hymn by sharing resources with family and strangers. He enjoyed lighting up the faces of random children by giving them money. After a devastating house fire, Jim sent funds for the rebuilding of his cousin’s home in Poland.
The family thanks Intermountain Hospice and the care center for their invaluable help and caring attitudes.
He is survived by a sister, Amelia Koster, Somerset, NJ; daughters, Deborah Susan Ellis (Kerry), Orem, UT, Diane Sally Ogden (Merrill), Manti, UT; seven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Jim is preceded in death by his wife, Corris Jackson Luty; two brothers, Victor and Larry; and a sister, Evelyn.
Funeral services will be held Monday, August 9, 2010 at 11:00am at Spilsbury Mortuary, 110 S. Bluff St., St. George, UT. Friends may call Monday, from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment will take place in the Toquerville Cemetery, Toquerville, UT.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to Childrens’ International, The Humane Society or the Snow College International Student Scholarship fund.
Arrangements are made under the direction of Spilsbury Mortuary, St. George, UT, (435) 673-2454. Friends and family are invited to sign the guestbook
