Submitted by: Dan Rich

Everett James Potts

Oct. 11, 1916 - Dec. 20, 2007

South Bend Tribune 12/24/2007
SOUTH BEND - Everett James "Jim" Potts, 91, of San Diego, CA, formerly of York Road in South Bend, passed away suddenly of an illness just past midnight on Thursday in the emergency room at Pomerado Hospital, Rancho Bernardo, CA. Jim owned the Empire Printing Company in South Bend for many years, selling it in 1961 to A-1 Printing. After his retirement he visited his brother often in Southern California and began investing in California real estate. He became very successful in his "second career" as well. His brother Keith Potts predeceased him. He was born in Minneapolis, MN, on October 11, 1916, to the late Grover Howard and Mary (O'Brien) Potts.

On November 11, 1961, he married the "Love of his Life," Donna Gale (Tooper) Potts, who survives of San Diego. Although there was a big age difference, theirs was a marriage that worked very well, lasting 46 years. Together they moved to San Diego in 1963. Other survivors include his two nieces, Mary Shindollar of South Bend and Elizabeth (Homer) Haughey of Escondido, CA; several great-nieces and nephews; Mrs. Potts' sister, Kathy (Jake) Herma of Koats, IN; and four nieces, Angela Wotring of South Bend, Laura (Ben) Hecht of Miller Beach, IN, Beth (Jay) Simmons of Griffith, IN, and Trisha (Mike) Hill of Portage, IN. Mr. Potts did a lot of volunteer work for different charities including The Conference of Christians and Jews. He was a former member of the Cathedral of St. Matthew and the Elks Lodge. He was a 1936 graduate of Riley High School.

A Mass of Christian Burial Rite will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 27, in the Cathedral of St. Matthew, with Rev. Michael Heinz, Rector, officiating. Burial will follow on the family plot with his parents and brother at Southlawn Cemetery. Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday in McGann Hay Funerals / Cremations / Gatherings, Forest G. Hay Chapel, 425 S. Ironwood at Jefferson. Donations in Jim's memory may be made to any charity.