James Gerhard Ludicke, 75, of Lewisville, Texas, passed away on October 7th, 2014, at Inova Fairfax Hospital in Falls Church, Virginia. He was surrounded by all six of his children, extended family, friends and his loving wife of 37 years, Dawn.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Ernest Joseph Ludicke and Edith Isabelle Hoddinott Ludicke, his sister Peggy Scarborough and his brother Charlie Ludicke, his mother and father-in-law, Joyce and Charles Kirby.
He is survived by his loving family: wife Dawn Ludicke; his sons, Michael Ludicke (wife Traci), William Ludicke (Kymm Pantaleo); his daughters Jennifer Ludicke, Rachel Ludicke, Kim Dockery (husband Joe) and Deborah Legg (husband Kevin); brother-in-law Dana Gardner; his nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, eight nieces and nephews, several members of the Ludicke’s extended family and his beloved pups, Dub and Pip.
Jim possessed the unique ability to make friends everywhere he went. A salesman in the electrical industry for much of his life, he traveled often and made lifelong friends across the country. He started his career with Westinghouse Electric Supply in 1960 as a construction salesman in Miami, FL. From positions as senior salesman, business owner, district sales manager, to regional sales manager, he distinguished himself as an industry leader, twice being assigned to failing districts and leading these districts back to profitability and record sales. One of his greatest joys was hiring and mentoring a young salesman who not only succeeded, but excelled in the electrical business. Jim retired from Eaton/Cutler-Hammer in 2000 with a long, and still standing record of having one of the leading sales teams. Retirement didn’t last long and he began working with the IEC Dallas Chapter later that year. He recently retired as the Membership Director for IEC Dallas where he spent the last 14 years, giving back to the industry he loved and enjoyed seeing so many new electricians succeed in the electrical industry.
Jim provided a loving home full of laughter and cheesy SciFi movies. There was even a cat named for the Star Trek episode, “The Trouble with Tribbles”. His red Christmas pants were legendary both at home and at office parties. “Dad Answers” were Gospel and not to be questioned, even if they made you laugh. His alter ego, “Jimmy”, loved to go out for a good burger, but was never responsible for the mustard stained shirts. He could fix anything and was always the first call when an electrical outlet stopped working or when a ceiling fan was too squeaky. Jim had a crazy and sometimes inappropriate sense of humor and loved to laugh, even at his own jokes.
His larger-than-life frame fit his personality. So the next time you enjoy a good burger, watch a terrible SciFi movie, or remember something that Jim taught you – smile, have a good laugh, and never forget what he meant to you.
In his honor, please consider making a charitable donation to the Denton State Supported Living Center. www.VSCDenton.org.
