James V. “Jim” Burden, September 3, 1943 – May 12, 2026.
James V. “Jim” Burden, 82, of La Porte, Indiana, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
He was born in La Porte to Russell and Sarah (Hunt) Burden. After graduating from Vander Cook College of Music with a Master’s Degree in music education, he first taught in the Homewood-Flossmoor school system before coming to La Porte. There, he was the Boston Middle School Band Director for thirteen years. His genuine love of music led him to join the Tom Milo Big Band, where he played lead saxophone for more than five decades. He was also a saxophone tester at the Selmer Corporation in Elkhart, Indiana, for twelve years.
Jim was the Director of the La Porte City Band for 45 years until he retired in 2012, and holds the record for the longest conductorship in the band’s history, which dates back to 1879. Before his years as a conductor, he played in both the La Porte and Michigan City municipal bands for many years. He was known not only for his musical talent and leadership, but for his intelligence, sincerity, sense of humor, love of friends and family, and the ability to fix just about anything.
On June 14, 1968, Jim married the love of his life, Karen (Boklund) Burden, who survives. They first met as kids growing up on the same street in La Porte, and while Karen had a crush on him early on, it was not until college that they had their first date. Over 58 years of marriage, they loved to travel and see the world together, but most of all, to spend time with family and their beloved pets over the years.
In addition to Karen, he is survived by his son, Matthew (Varvara) Burden of La Porte; son-in-law Greg Gropp of La Porte; and grandchildren Cordelia Nash, Isabella Nash, Samuel Burden, and Katherine Burden. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Dale, and his daughter, Melissa “Missy” (Burden) Nash.
Above all, Jim will be remembered as a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 pm on Monday, May 18, 2026, at Holy Family Parish, St. Peter Church, 1101 Michigan Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.
Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 am to 11:45 am on Monday at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James V. Burden Memorial Award, c/o Sue Cassler, Monday Musicale Michigan City Scholarship Fund, 4928 W. Schultz Rd, La Porte, Indiana 46350; or the La Porte City Band, 396 Melrose Street, La Porte, IN 46350; or the La Porte County Animal Shelter, 2855 IN-2, La Porte, IN 46350.
