James H. Wilson

James H. Wilson, Jr., 85, of Battle Creek, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 11, 2018 surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born on October 17, 1932 in Columbus, OH to James (Harry) Wilson and Louise E. Hoepfner. When Jim was 10 his family moved to Sturgis, MI where he attended school, graduating from Sturgis High School in 1950. In July of 1950 he married his high school sweetheart Janet E. Bradford. She preceded him in death in 1989. He attended Michigan State University where he was involved in ROTC, fencing and swimming activities.

While raising their five children they built their beautiful home on Sonoma Lake. Jim worked at Kellogg's, in the Kelpacko Division, retiring in 1993 after 32 years of service. He is a member of the 25 Year Club.

Jim was a sports enthusiast. He avidly followed all Michigan State sports, the Red Wings, wrestling, basketball, baseball and football on tv. He loved to fish off his dock at the lake, bowl, golf, and collect stamps, coins and fire trucks. He was a 25-year volunteer at the East Leroy Fire Department.

Jim enjoyed watching his children participate in sports and especially enjoyed attending his grandchildren's sporting events, missing very few (if any) of their games. One of his favorite things in life was having breakfast with his friends and fellow retirees who were referred to as the "Round Table". Jim loved to go ATV riding with the Over the Hill Gang at Fife Lake in his younger years. He was also a big Civil War buff.

Jim is survived by his wife, Jo Ann of 28 years; children Michael (Denise) Wilson of Battle Creek, Jeffery (Patti) Wilson of Battle Creek and Carolyn (CeCe) Wilson of Columbus, OH; step-children, Jeffery (Barb) Inman of Albuquerque, NM, Tressa (Sam) Short of Mt. Zion, IL and Amy (John) Bredin of Clayton, NC; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; a sister, Lynne Taylor; and two daughter-in-laws, Susie Wilson and Jackie Wilson . Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Janet; two sons, Timothy and Patrick Wilson and a step-grandson, Wesley Bredin.

In appreciation, the family wishes to express their gratitude for your kind thoughts and prayers.

A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, October 18, 2018 at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, officiated by Rev. Kelly Hadlich. Visitation will be one hour prior, starting at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice of SW Michigan. A private interment will be held at a later date. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.