James Musser Gingrich, XCII, of Lititz, PA, formerly of Landisville, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2026 surrounded by the care and love of his family and friends. Born in Lancaster, PA, he was the youngest child of the late T. Edison and Mary Musser Gingrich. He was the beloved husband of the late Joan Nissley Gingrich to whom he was married for 68 years. Surviving are four daughters; Trula Gingrich of Lititz, Twila Gingrich of Lititz, Jonelle Shenk (Elvin) of Lancaster, and Alicia Gingrich (Kirsten Peachey) of Oak Park, IL; grandchild, Nova Peachey of Oak Park, IL, and sister, Martha Charles Sangree (the late Ivan Charles; the late Paul Sangree) of Lancaster. Three siblings preceded in death; John Gingrich (the late Blanche), Mary Elizabeth Gingrich, and Paul Gingrich (the late Ann).

A 1951 graduate of Lancaster Mennonite High School, Jim went on to earn a BA in religion and sociology from Eastern Mennonite College in 1957. After language study and a four-year term with Eastern Mennonite Missions in Honduras, Jim and Joan returned to Landisville and Jim began a 40-year career teaching Spanish, first in the Solanco School District, followed by the School District of Lancaster, and then York College. In retirement Jim worked part-time with Ranck Plumbing as an estimator.

Jim was a life-long active member at Landisville Mennonite Church where he served on the pastoral leadership team for 22 years as Minister of Education and Deacon. His accessible preaching style along with relatable stories and humor were memorable. He was respected for his reliable, thoughtful, and wise counsel. Jim and Joan were active supporters and volunteers with many wider church organizations.

With deep roots in Lancaster County, Jim maintained a life-long appreciation for and interest in the world and people beyond. He was curious about and valued perspectives different from his own. From staying current on global affairs to epic family road trips to retirement travel with friends, Jim was genuinely interested in people and with his affable, young-at-heart quality, could strike up conversations with anyone. He was the guy who chatted up wait staff, TSA agents, or stand-holders at Roots farmer’s market. He seldom left a conversation without sharing a laugh.

An appreciation for music – a gift from his mother – developed into his signature deep, rich, resonant bass singing voice – ‘thunder wrapped in velvet’ to his young daughters’ ears. He often led singing in Sunday morning services and participated in numerous local choirs and quartets over the years. These harmonies provided the soundtrack to his life.

A teacher at heart, Jim was also an enthusiastic, life-long learner. His interests were myriad and varied. At age 80, to the delight of his wife, he learned to play the violin, a bucket-list item since he was young. During summer breaks he was a guide for Mennonite Information Center, providing tours for Spanish-speaking visitors to Amish country. He enrolled in the Clinical Pastoral Education program at Hershey Medical Center one summer. Over many decades he split countless cords of wood to supply his ingenious, whole-house-heating wood stove. At age 78 he wrote and published his memoir, Four Miles to Lancaster. He was a firm believer that there was nothing a healthy blast of WD-40 would not fix. He enjoyed a clean car, a pithy quote, a mush and scrapple breakfast, and a great deal. A lanky fellow, Jim would, on occasion, tell people he was 5’ – 14 ½” tall.

Jim was blessed with parents who provided a solid foundation and supported and guided him, a wife who adored him and laughed at his jokes, a family who appreciated and sometimes encouraged his quirks, a large community of close and meaningful friendships, and a joyful disposition. He recognized these as gifts and was grateful.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff at Landis Homes who provided exceptional and unwavering care and support for Jim.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, October 4 at 4:00 pm at Landisville Mennonite Church. There will be a visitation prior to the service from 2:30 – 3:45 pm. In lieu of flowers, Jim would have wanted you to consider giving generously to Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) or Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS). Also, you would honor Jim’s unique, buoyant spirit by smiling at a stranger, sharing a perfectly awful pun, writing your age in Roman numerals when filling out a form, or attempting to walk backwards for a minute or two the next time you are out for a spin around the block. He would have loved that. To express a condolence with the family or for additional information, visit www.spencefuneralservices.com.