Jim Sammer, 75, passed away peacefully in his home on January 12, 2015. Always positive in the face of great challenges, Jim was born on February 22, 1939, to James and Ruth Sammer, in Detroit, Michigan. A loving father of three girls and married for more than fifty years to Janet Purdy, his life was built around the priorities of faith, family and hard work. As one of the pioneers that helped build Walker Research, Jim earned an MBA at Michigan State and started his marketing research career at Mead Johnson, in Evansville, Indiana. He was soon recruited to move his family to Indianapolis to help build Walker Research into one of the most respected marketing research companies in the world, becoming President and COO in 1989. Jim finished his career as Vice Chairman of the board and officially retired in 2003.

But, Jim was much more than his career. He loved dancing with his wife in the kitchen, spending time at his favorite place on earth, Chub Lake, Canada, traveling to wonderful destinations with good friends and family, and having sleepovers with his grandkids.

Jim is survived by his wife Janet (Purdy); daughters, Beth (Jim) Helton, Maggie (Tom) Denari and Katy (Mitch) Rewers; grandchildren, Jordan Denari, Nick Denari, Shelby Helton, Audrey Helton, Ben Rewers and Hayden Rewers; sister, Judy Westrate; brother-in-law, Barre Purdy; and sister-in-law, Laura Purdy; nephews, Matt Purdy and Mark Westrate and nieces; Jules Micheli and Missy Russell.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 2:00PM at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., followed by a gathering in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation, Special Olympics, or the charity of one’s choosing.