James Althouse

James A. "Jim" Althouse, age 69, of Ephrata, Lancaster County, PA, died Tuesday, September 18, 2012, in Lancaster General Hospital . Born in Lancaster , a son of the late John A. and Ella S. (Eshelman) Althouse, he is survived by a brother, Richard L. (Linda Spotts) Althouse, and niece, Amy (Robert III) Mellinger, all of Ephrata. Jim was a member of Grace Evangelical Congregational Church, Ephrata, PA. He graduated in 1961 from Cocalico High School ; 1965 in music education from Lebanon Valley College , Annville; and received his masters in music education in 1971 from Penn State University . He taught music at Ephrata School District 1965-1981, where he was band director of the "Purple Pride" marching band and founded "Pageantry in Motion", a regional marching band competition; he also taught in Cumberland Regional High School, Seabrook, New Jersey, 1981-1996; was president of the Mid-Atlantic Band Judges, served as a judge 1970-2007, and was very active with The Cavalcade of Bands. Jim also founded and directed the Adamstown Community Band, Ephrata Recreation Center Band and Hexton Band and was former chairman of The Miss Lancaster County Pageant. He was preceded in death by his companion, Gail Usner. Service Information... A celebration of Jim"s life will be held Wednesday, October 3, 2012, from Grace. E. C. Church, 131 Terrace Avenue , Ephrata , PA 17522 , with his former student, The Rev. Jeffrey L. Martin, officiating. Peggy (Kurtz) Keller, another former student of Jim's, will provide vocal solos selected by Jim. Private inurnment in Cedar Hill Cemetery , Ephrata. Good Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, Reamstown, is honored to be handling Jim"s final tribute. Memorial Celebration of Life 10/03/2012 7:00 PM Grace Evangelical Congregational Church 131 Terrace Avenue Ephrata PA