James N. Moylan

"Think where man's glory most begins and ends, And say my glory was I had such friends.” --William Butler Yeats James “Jim” N. Moylan, age 80, of Plymouth, Michigan, passed away at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit on December 11, 2025. Born in Detroit to Percy and Margaret Moylan, Jim was the youngest of six children and grew up in a lively, loving family on Forrer Avenue. He graduated from Our Lady Gate of Heaven and then Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1962. He later earned a Bachelor’s degree in Plastics Manufacturing Technology from the University of Detroit Mercy in 1999. Jim began his 34-year career at Ford Motor Company as a draftsman and worked his way up to engineering management. His family takes great pride in his invention of the fuel door indicator that is now on vehicles all around the world and dubbed it the “Moylan Arrow.” However, Jim would have said his greatest career accomplishment was the friendships he built with many colleagues along the way. His work took him around the world, including extended assignments in Hiroshima, Japan, during the 1980s. Outside of work, Jim was an avid sports enthusiast, playing baseball, hockey, golf, racquetball, and especially tennis. Tennis became his passion later in life—he took great pride in mastering his game, participating in rigorous guided lessons right up until his hospitalization. His determination and love for the sport reflected his lifelong commitment to staying active and how he approached life with curiosity, embracing new challenges with enthusiasm. Jim was famous for his humor, legendary family vacations, and his love of photography—he often coerced people to pose in human pyramids for pictures. A lifelong music lover, he created countless mix tapes and volunteered as an usher for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in retirement. He was always tinkering in his workshop and sharing his knowledge with his grandkids, and enjoyed many hours playing cards and board games with his family and friends. He was also active in the Kiwanis Club of Colonial Plymouth, most notably for his service in the Popcorn Wagon. His grandkids will be making his famous smoothies for the rest of their lives. Jim never met a stranger and his warm personality attracted friends in all walks of life. He is survived by his beloved wife, Kathleen “Kathy” Moylan, his children Andrew Moylan of Plymouth; Elizabeth Wilson (Christopher) of Takoma Park, Maryland; and Kara Moylan (Christian Lorensen) of Plymouth; grandchildren Norah and Nathaniel Wilson, Theodore and Charles Lorensen; and brothers Thomas and Edward, along with dozens of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by siblings William, Patrick, and Carol. Visitation Saturday, December 27th from 2 PM until 8 PM at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home, 46401 Ann Arbor Road West (between Sheldon and Beck) Plymouth. A memorial service will be held on Sunday December 28th at 12 PM at Vermeulen-Sajewski Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Henry Ford Health Tom Groth Patient Medical Needs Fund - https://www.henryford.com/development/make-a-gift or the University of Detroit Mercy College of Engineering and Science -https://www.udmercy.edu/giving/donate/ces.php To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

James N. Moylan

December 19, 1944 - December 11, 2025