James Harold "Jim" Garnsey

James Harold "Jim" Garnsey of Portage, MI

Jim, age 76, died Monday morning, February 11, 2019 at his residence with his loving family at his side.

Jim, the son of Harold R. and Frances M. (Zovishlack) Garnsey, was born in Flint, MI on November 3, 1942 and moved to this area in 1979. He served his Country honorably and nobly in the United States Navy as a E-2 aboard the USS Oklahoma City. Jim retired in 2005 after 30+ years of faithful service as a Quality Engineer for American Axle of Three Rivers, MI. He and his wife, Marilyn were members of the Prairie Baptist Church of Scotts, MI. Jim was an active car enthusiast and was a member of several clubs including the Rod Benders, Midwest Kustoms and Kustoms of America, where he previously had been a Director. He enjoyed fishing the area's lakes, but his true passion in life was his family, especially the grandkids!

Jim was united in marriage to the former, Marilyn Goodell on September 30, 1972 in Martinsburg, WVA. Surviving is his wife of 46 years, Marilyn; four daughters, Charilyn Thompson of Mattawan, MI, Paula (Jim) Mitchum of Flint, Toni Garnsey of Penesacola, FL and Crystal Thurow of Portage; two sons, Stephen (Cindy) Powell of Grand Rapids, MI and Luther Garnsey of Mendon, MI; twelve precious grandchildren; three great grandchildren; his sister, Patricia Fredell of Davison, MI and a brother-in-law, Allen Sabourin of Gladwin, MI. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Sue Ann Sabourin.

The Funeral Service to celebrate Jim's life will be held on Tuesday, February 19th at 11:30 a.m. in the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East D Avenue (M-89) with the Rev. Thomas Harrison, Pastor of the Prairie Baptist Church of Scotts, officiating. Jim's family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until service time on Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI with the United States Navy Honor Guard and the Fort Custer Honor Guard bestowing full military honors. Family and friends will continue Jim's life celebration with a time of fellowship and a luncheon immediately following the committal at the Prairie Baptist Church, 11210 East PQ Avenue, Scotts, MI 49088. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim's honor may be directed to the Hospice Care of Southwestern Michigan, 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite # 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007.