James Martin Nemeth

     James Martin Nemeth, age 76, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Sunday, June 11, 2023, at MyMichigan Medical Center, Alma, MI.

     A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Friday, June 23, 2023, with Pastor Scott Nemeth officiating. Visitation will begin at 11:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home. A private family burial will take place at Ithaca Cemetery, Ithaca, MI.

      James was born in Alma, Michigan on March 14, 1947, the son of John and Irene M. (Trigina) Nemeth. He graduated from St. Louis High School with the Class of 1965. On October 14, 1967, Jim married Marilyn Grace Morris. They were blessed with nearly 55 years of marriage prior to Marilyn’s passing on August 19, 2022.  Together they raised two sons, four granddaughters, whom they adored, and one great-grandson.

      He served in the U.S. Army National Guard from March of 1966 to January of 1972.  He was activated in July through August 1967, for the Detroit Riots, which we all heard about, many, many times. Throughout the sixties and seventies, Jim was well known for having several fast cars, spending many nights racing at the drag strip or the back “tarvey” roads of Gratiot County with all takers including his sister Maryann. Jim continued with his addiction to fast cars up until the early 2000s when he finally sold his 1981 Corvette drag/show car, you know the one with nitrous.

     Jim loved going up their cabin in Harrison where he spent the majority of his weekends off fixing the motorcycles and snowmobiles for his two boys, nephews, neighbor kids, and pretty much anyone that broke down riding the trails to Leota and “Blue Mountain” He was the host of many badminton, horseshoe, volleyball, and lawn jart tournaments….with the uncanny ability to slip away to bed before anyone noticed he was gone.

Jimmy “Nines” true calling came in 2005 when he along with his two boys opened the Barryton Firearms Training Center, where they teach Concealed Pistol License Courses and Defensive and Tactical Courses. You couldn’t find him out and about without a BFTC hat or shirt on, with a pocket full of business cards and at least three pistols on him.

     “Uncle” Jim will forever be remembered as a kind, loving father and husband who knew how to fix anything that broke, worked hard at work and home, and had the incredible patience to raise a hyperactive hellion kid and his older brother, making them both proud to be called “Nemeth Boys”.

     Jim is survived by two sons: Corey (Valerie) Nemeth of Ithaca, MI; and Casey (Patience) Nemeth of Chippewa Lake, MI; four granddaughters: Taylor Grace (Logan) Goldthwait, Makenzie Nemeth, Hailey Nemeth, and Magdalene Nemeth, great-grandson Grant Goldthwait, and soon to arrive great-granddaughter Grace Goldthwait.  He is also survived by his brother John Nemeth, his sister Maryann (Robert) Nemeth, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and wife Marilyn.

Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.