Obituaries
James "J.T." Tracht
May 14, 2025
James “JT” Tracht, age 81, of Norwalk died Wednesday May 14, 2025 at Norwalk Memorial Home.
He was born June 21, 1943 in Galion, son of the now deceased Junior W. Tracht and Esther M. (Weithman) Tracht.
He was a resident of Norwalk the majority of his life and was a Norwalk High School graduate.
J.T. was an accomplished machinist and engineer. There was nothing he could not design, build or fabricate. He exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit and was self-employed for most of his adult life. Early in his career, he designed and manufactured engine components, while travelling across the country competing in NHRA Junior Fuel under the banner of Tracht, Truchon and Ahle. He was a lifetime car enthusiast and after racing 200mph front motor dragsters he moved to Street Rods.
He transitioned from manufacturing aftermarket high performance engine components to metering equipment for the plastics industry and establish his equipment as an industry leader.
Despite this success, what J.T. enjoyed more than anything was spending time with his four grandchildren, never missing a sporting event, always offering words of encouragement as well as making or providing any training equipment necessary to hone his grandchildren’s on-field skills.
He was generous to a fault and was always willing to give a friend in need the shirt off his back regardless of the consequence. That’s who he was!
More recently J.T. and his wife Ilene spend their spare time with dear friends at D&D Winery in Norwalk, where he loved being surrounded by great friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ilene Tracht of Norwalk; daughters, Jayme (Bill Jr.) Bader of Norwalk and Jodye (Adam) Albright of Norwalk; grandchildren, Evan (Kelli) Bader, Garret (Natalie) Bader, Amos (Kaitlyn) Albright, Avery (Cassandra) Albright; great-grandchildren, Blake Bader & Evelyn Albright. Siblings, Thomas (Paula) Tracht of Norwalk and Rosetta Johnson of Lewis, CO; nieces and nephews.
At Jim’s request, there will be no visitation or services. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk.
James "J.T." Tracht
May 14, 2025
James “JT” Tracht, age 81, of Norwalk died Wednesday May 14, 2025 at Norwalk Memorial Home.
He was born June 21, 1943 in Galion, son of the now deceased Junior W. Tracht and Esther M. (Weithman) Tracht.
He was a resident of Norwalk the majority of his life and was a Norwalk High School graduate.
J.T. was an accomplished machinist and engineer. There was nothing he could not design, build or fabricate. He exemplified the entrepreneurial spirit and was self-employed for most of his adult life. Early in his career, he designed and manufactured engine components, while travelling across the country competing in NHRA Junior Fuel under the banner of Tracht, Truchon and Ahle. He was a lifetime car enthusiast and after racing 200mph front motor dragsters he moved to Street Rods.
He transitioned from manufacturing aftermarket high performance engine components to metering equipment for the plastics industry and establish his equipment as an industry leader.
Despite this success, what J.T. enjoyed more than anything was spending time with his four grandchildren, never missing a sporting event, always offering words of encouragement as well as making or providing any training equipment necessary to hone his grandchildren’s on-field skills.
He was generous to a fault and was always willing to give a friend in need the shirt off his back regardless of the consequence. That’s who he was!
More recently J.T. and his wife Ilene spend their spare time with dear friends at D&D Winery in Norwalk, where he loved being surrounded by great friends.
He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Ilene Tracht of Norwalk; daughters, Jayme (Bill Jr.) Bader of Norwalk and Jodye (Adam) Albright of Norwalk; grandchildren, Evan (Kelli) Bader, Garret (Natalie) Bader, Amos (Kaitlyn) Albright, Avery (Cassandra) Albright; great-grandchildren, Blake Bader & Evelyn Albright. Siblings, Thomas (Paula) Tracht of Norwalk and Rosetta Johnson of Lewis, CO; nieces and nephews.
At Jim’s request, there will be no visitation or services. A celebration of life gathering will be held at a later date.
Arrangements entrusted to the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk.