MADISON
Jim “Gulley” Gullett, 84, of Madison, died at 3:50 a.m. Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at his home. Jim was born on June 3, 1938, in Maud, OH to Chalmer Gullett and Eva Cleo Vance Gullett. He married Juanita B. Taylor on August 28, 1956, and she died in April 2005. He then married Carol A. Campbell on February 10, 2007.
In 1956, Jim graduated from Union High School in Westchester, OH where he was a 4-year varsity letter recipient in baseball and basketball, and president of his junior and senior classes. Upon graduation, he proudly enlisted in the United States Navy. He started his career as a sales rep with River Raisin Paper Mill in Cincinnati, OH, and then spent most of his career in Indianapolis and Columbus with St. Joe Paper out of Hartford City, IN. In 1993, Jim fulfilled a lifelong dream of starting his own company when he co-founded Webster West Packaging, Inc. out of North Vernon and worked there until he retired in 2006.
Jim was a huge sports fan and outdoorsman. He enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, bowling, basketball, baseball, and played softball well into his 50’s. He started the Columbus Babe Ruth Organization in 1974 where he coached the 16-18 yr. old All-Star teams through 1981, twice coming within one game of the Babe Ruth World Series. He was extremely proud of the players, and all their accomplishments, and was honored to be called “Coach”. He was inducted into the Babe Ruth Hall of Fame in 1986. Jim was an avid Indiana Hoosier, Cincinnati Red, and Indianapolis Colt fan. He enjoyed owning and racing Greyhounds, and was previously a member of the Elks Lodge #521 and Columbus Moose Lodge #398.
Funeral services will be at 12 p.m. Monday, February 27, 2023, at Jewell-Rittman Family Funeral Home with Rev. Andrew Johnson officiating. Calling will be from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home and one hour prior to the service on Monday. Burial will be held at Garland Brook Cemetery with military honors by the Bartholomew County Veterans Honor Guard.
As a tribute to Jim, those attending visitation are encouraged to wear IU apparel…Go Hoosiers!
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the funeral home.
Survivors include his wife, Carol A. Gullett of Madison, IN; a daughter, Vicki (Jeff) Hall of Columbus, IN; grandson, Taylor (Samantha) Hall; great-granddaughters, Zoey Hall and Olivia Hall; step-granddaughter, Eden Morrison, several nieces and nephews, and his 4-legged buddy, Poppy.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Chalmer and Eva Cleo Gullett; first wife, Juanita B. Gullett; son, Jeffrey D. Gullett; grandson, Lukas Hall; brothers, Herman and Archie Gullett; a sister, Reda Overbey.
