James Richard

James LeRoy Richard 'Big Jim' was born October 21, 1949 in Owosso, Michigan. Jim married his high school sweetheart, Vicki Craig in Chapin, Michigan on August 15, 1970. She served him ice cream at the Ovid Dairy Aisle and won his heart through his stomach! Big Jim most recently resided in Midland, Michigan but lived most of his years in the Elsie and Chapin areas. He received the gift of a liver and kidney transplant on November 15, 2010. He went home to be with the Lord on August 27, 2011. He graduated from Ovid Elsie High School in 1968. He attended Lansing Community College, Great Lakes Bible College, and earned a Bachelor's Degree at Baker College.

Jim is survived by his dear wife of 41 years, Vicki, his children Jim and Leazona Richard of Abaco, Bahamas and Jacki and Jeremie Wilson of Laingsburg, Michigan, and his father and step-mother, Don and Ethel Richard. He is also survived by four of his favorite people in the world, his grandchildren, Donte and Khalea Richard and Jackson and Daisy Wilson. He leaves behind his big brother Chuck and Barb Mort, his big sister Carole and Gary Hawes, in-laws Jack Craig Jr., Linda and Bob Jameson, Dan Craig, Peggy and Alan Bryson, Penny and Roger Reha, step-sisters Gail Golder, Cindy and Mike Cope, LuAnne and Dennis Keck, several treasured nephews and nieces and great nephews and nieces, numerous church friends (old and new), and many of the medical staff at the University of Michigan Hospital. Jim would also like you to know that he is survived by Miss Pearl, his cherished Harley-Davidson Road King.

He was predeceased by his loving Mother, Neva Richard on August 10, 1986, by his in-laws Jack and Margaret Craig, his sister-in-law Helen Mort, brother-in-law Russell Presson, and his niece Brandy Presson.

Jim served in Personnel at General Motors and retired after 32 years of service. He served as a youth leader at Trinity United Methodist Church in Chesaning in the 1980's and 90's, and in his retirement, he had the pleasure of assisting Vicki in her classroom, as well as substitute teaching, within the Midland Community School System.

Big Jim enjoyed hunting, target shooting, gun show perusing, SCUBA diving, sailing on "Godspeed", kayaking, riding his motorcycle, and visiting his family in their Caribbean paradise in the Bahamas. Combining any of his hobbies with family time meant the world to him. Being with family gave true meaning to his life right up to his last day here with us.

Jim was a member of Chapin United Methodist Church, Trinity United Methodist Church in Chesaning, the Midland Sportsman's Club, and a lifelong member of the NRA (National Rifle Association).

Memorial services will be on Tuesday, 6:00 P.M. August 30, 2011 at First Church of Christ in Owosso, Michigan, visitation will be at the church from 5:00 P.M. until the time of services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Chapin United Methodist Church, First Church of Christ, Owosso, Gift of Life of Michigan or Mid-Michigan Hospice House, Lansing, Michigan. If you are a motorcycle rider, Big Jim would have wanted you to ride your bike to his service.
Online condolences may be sent to: smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Elsie chapel.




Read James Richard's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.