Dr. James (Jim) Martin Luetjen passed away peacefully on July 9, 2024, at Boone Hospital in Columbia, Missouri, surrounded by loved ones. 

Jim is survived by his sons, James Lawrence (Holly) and Steven Douglas (Beth); his daughter, Amy Lisabeth Luetjen Frazier (Don); and his brother-in-law, Lawrence Holman (Sharon). 

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Elisabeth (Libby) Holman Luetjen, who passed away in 2015.

Jim was a devoted grandfather to 10 grandchildren: Shannon Devlin (Jason), Justin Luetjen (Melissa), Tyler Luetjen, Amy Nations (Steven), Anna Paulsen (Jed), Sarah Hassemer (Lucas), Doug Luetjen (Becca), Daniel Sullivan, David Sullivan, and Steven Sullivan (Alejandra). He also cherished his 20 great-grandchildren.

Born in Corder, Missouri on September 12, 1932, Jim grew up with a passion for sports and education. He attended high school in Sweet Springs, Missouri and after graduation was recruited to play basketball at Moberly Junior College. His impressive performance led him to the University of Missouri, where he played for the Mizzou Tigers basketball team. Jim was drafted into the military the next year to serve in the Korean War. For four years, he served in the U.S. Air Force as a weather observer. He married Elisabeth Holman of Moberly, Missouri on May 30, 1953. After completing his service in Korea and finishing his Air Force four-year inactive reserve obligation, he returned to the University of Missouri, earning his Bachelor of Education (1958), Master of Education (1959), and Doctorate in Education (1971).

Jim began his career in education and coaching with the Moberly Public School System in 1959, where he worked as a high school teacher and coach for six years. In 1965, he became the Professor of Education and Head Basketball Coach at Central Methodist College then served as the Athletic Director from 1967 until his retirement in 1992. While AD, he also served as Chair of the Education Department (1970), as the Dean of the College (1978), and as the Chair of the Physical Education Department for 13 years.

After retiring, Jim and Libby enjoyed traveling the world and hosting family and friends at their Lake of the Ozarks home. Jim was an avid golfer and enjoyed being in the men’s league at Columbia Country Club. He was also a skilled gardener, and his rose bushes were his pride and joy.

Woodworking was another of his favorite hobbies and he made many fine furniture projects. For many years, Jim gifted each grandchild a handcrafted wooden ornament for Christmas. He loved his cat, Sugar.

Jim was honored with inductions into the Sweet Springs High School Athletic Hall of Fame, the Moberly Junior College Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Central Methodist College Athletic Hall of Fame. This year was the 33rd Annual Dr. James M. Luetjen Golf Tournament benefiting the athletic programs at Central Methodist University. In 2021, Jim established an endowed scholarship in the Hall of Sponsors at Central Methodist University.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cater Funeral Home, Moberly, Missouri. A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Linn Memorial United Methodist Church, 409 N. Church St., Fayette, Missouri, officiated by Rev. Jim Trutwin. The family will receive visitors from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., with the service beginning at 11 a.m. A private family burial will follow at the Huntsville, Missouri, Cemetery.