James M. Young

Jim Young CANTON, MI - Jim Young passed away on November 13, 2021 at the age of 83. Jim was born James Madison Young, Jr. in Clayton, Missouri (suburb of St. Louis) on November 11, 1938. He was the son of James Madison Young, Sr and Nellie Agnes (nee Byers) Young. The youngest child of four, he was predeceased by his sisters Mildred Young, Dolores Wise, and Joy Grogg. Jim married Kathleen Mary LaRue in 1964. Together they had and raised three children: Jennifer Young, Daniel Young (Jacqueline), and James Young (Lisa) and four grandchildren: Derek, Ryan, Henry and Claudette. All survive him. Known by his family as Uncle Jimmy, Jim was beloved by his wife’s sisters, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and many friends who will miss him greatly. Jim grew up and lived in the Detroit area for more than 80 years. Jim graduated from Cody High School in 1957 and served his country in the US Army from 1961 to 1963. After 28 years of service, Jim retired in 2000 as General Manager from Lochinvar Corporation in Plymouth. Jim and his wife Kathy resided in Canton, Michigan since 1977. They enjoyed family get-togethers, hosting friends, visiting their kids, and traveling throughout the United States and the world. They maintained a close and loving family, full of traditions, holiday meals, stories, and laughs. They also retained strong bonds with extended family and deepened lifelong relationships with friends they met in Detroit in the 1960s. Jim developed new friendships throughout his life. Known for keeping in touch, Jim would regularly call and visit friends and family throughout the community, state, and country. Above all, Jim loved being a father. Among many things, he instilled in his kids to stay connected, be persistent, have conviction, stand up for what you believe in, and be helpful. He was a dad who was there for milestones big and small — coaching teams, taking pictures, lacing skates, driving to practice, singing songs before bed, attending every little league or high school game, and never missing a chance to support his kids in any way he possibly could. He was very proud of his children and loved them unconditionally. Jim loved the things that connected people: music, photography, baseball, and gardening. He grew up on 50s jazz and 60s folk music and always had his camera with him to take photos of nature, barns, and his family. Jim loved sports, but especially St. Louis Cardinal Baseball and watching NCAA basketball, in which he would stand, turn up the TV, and jump when his team won. Jim had the most beautiful garden. This served as an example for how Jim thought about life, family, friendships, and being a neighbor: cultivate, tend, deepen, grow. Jim was a stalwart Christian and dedicated member of Oakland Hills Community Church in Farmington Hills. He believed to serve God, one must serve others. He applied his deep conviction as an everyday hero, champion of the poor and less fortunate, loyal friend, and devoted family man. Jim channeled any hardship or misfortune he may have experienced into positive good works for others. He will forever be known as good-natured and giving, going out of his way to offer a kind word to a stranger, donate his time, or provide assistance to the needy. For nearly 60 years, Jim volunteered his time in the areas of youth mentoring, homelessness, and advocacy at the following organizations: Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Pioneer Middle School, Growth Works, the Pediatric Burn Center at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Crossroads of Michigan, Lighthouse Full Gospel Temple and Presbyterian Disaster Relief for hurricane relief trips to the gulf coast. Jim especially enjoyed volunteering at Graye’s Greenhouse, a boutique nursery in Plymouth. Jim was known as a nice man. His patient endurance, friendliness, kind heart, and care for the less fortunate will forever serve as his legacy. Jim will be laid to rest at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi, where he can listen to the birds and enjoy the plants and trees. Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 17th from 3pm to 8pm at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Rd, W. Plymouth. Vermeulenfh.com. Funeral will be Thursday, November 18th, with visitation from 10am to 11am, Service at 11am at Oakland Hills Community Church, 37150 West Eight Mile Rd in Farmington Hills. ohcc.net In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Graye’s Greenhouse at 8820 N. Lilley Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170. Or: grayesgreenhouse.com/jim-young To share a memory, please use the Share a Memory tab on this web page.

James M. Young

November 11, 1938 - November 13, 2021