James Humphrey

James M. Humphrey ( Red ) age 87 died at Puget Sound Medical Center in Olympia, Washington on Thursday morning, November 15, 2007, following a courageous and lifetime battle with heart disease.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, December 4, 2007 at First United Methodist Church, Midland, Michigan at 10:00 A.M. with another Memorial Service following at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel at 2:00 P.M. Dr. Charles Keyworth will officiate with internment at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, Michigan. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Midland Horseshoe Club or the M-46 Club and sent to P.O. Box 1832, Midland, Michigan 48641.
Red was born on November 7, 1920 in Alma, Michigan, Gratiot County to the late Lymon and Pauline Humphrey. He graduated from the Seville Public Schools in 1935. After graduation, at age 15, Red joined the Michigan State Troops, Calvary division, where he remained as an active member until he joined the regular army in June 1944. Following his training infantry and heavy weapon application at Camp Blanding, Florida he was sent to Italy, remaining in the Mediterranean theatre of operations until the end of the war. Red received; two Bronze Stars, Good Conduct metal and the World War II victory metal. He was honorable discharged on December 30, 1945. Red was a true patriot to the United States of America in every way possible. For fiftya�"four years he proudly flew the American flag in front of the family home on West Ellsworth Street in Midland.
Red married Helen Maxine Bailey, from Pleasant Valley, Michigan on October 4, 1940 in Bryan, Ohio. In the early 1950a�(TM)s the Humphrey family moved to Midland where he went to work the Dow Chemical Company working in the saran department. After a few years passed, Dow promoted Red to the position of general foreman of the 686 building where he remained until his retirement in 1980. In the early years of his life, Red loved to hunt and fish with family and his army buddies in the wilds of Marquette County, Michigan. Following retirement from Dow, he went to work for his son in the oil fields of southern Ohio and West Virginia for three years. In his later years he became a world-class horseshoe pitcher. As a member of the M-46 Club and the Midland Horseshoe Club, he participated in many world-class horseshoe-pitching events throughout the United States, routinely taking first place honors in local events and placing in the top percentage at the world-class events. In 1983, he and Helen decided it was time to fully retire. The purchased a motor home and stared their travels, which took them throughout North America and Mexico. In the mid 1990a�(TM)s they found their perfect retirement community at Tropic Star RV Park in Pharr, Texas where they purchased a home. Red was a past member of the Midland Elks, the VFW and American Legion. Red has a smile for everyone and he never met a person he didna�(TM)t like. He was a loving family man who always inspired those around him to pursue their dreams. His philosophy being; you have but one life to live, do it well. Life is to be lived as a continuous adventure, make the best of it.
Red is survived by his wife Helen of 67 years, his son and his wife, James D. and Nancy Humphrey of Midland, his two daughters; Penny Giering and Connie Hannah and her husband John Kelly of Olympia, Washington. Eleven grandchildren; Steven and Dana Humphrey of Clare, Michigan Kristen Shingleton of Indianapolis, Indiana Gretchen and Matt Lough of Indianapolis, Indiana Ann Humphrey of Columbus, Ohio, Eric and Kim Giering of St. Peter, Missouri, Graham Giering of Schumburg, Illinois, Hannah and Greg Levausseur of Portland, Oregon, Paul Giering of Seattle, Washington, Scott and Cathy Hannah of Seattle, Washington, Susan and John Fluke of Seattle, Washington, Shelly and Bill of Southern California and fifteen great grandchildren.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis Chapel.

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