James Patrick Knecht

James Patrick Knecht, 69, passed away July 29th at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was surrounded and supported by his loving family and friends.

James, better known to his closest friends and family members as Jim, Jimbo, or Pops, was born in Detroit, MI on April 14, 1955 to mother Nancy (Coleman) Fogarty and father John Knecht. Jim was a 1973 graduate of Gull Lake High School. Jim deeply loved his family, especially his beautiful children and grandchildren, his wife Mary, his faith in the Lord and his country. He proudly flew the American flag daily outside his home in Richland.

Jim was known to many as a kind, loving, gentle and sweet man. His love for tinkering and refurbishing items for friends and family alike was one of his passions. The other was most notably, helping others. Whether it was volunteer firefighting, helping with a home project, or pulling a car out of a ditch, Jim was always the person anyone could call for help, day or night, and he would be there.

In 1977, he met the love of his life, Mary O’Leary, and they were married in Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church in Otsego in 1981. Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, three children; Kaity (Jed) Segur, Pat (Kendra) Knecht, Joe (Kyle) Knecht, and three adored grandchildren; Wayland, Della and Marleigh.

Also surviving are brothers; Tim (Deb) Knecht, Shawn (Donna) Knecht, sister Elizabeth Thompson, sisters-in-law; Colleen (Alex) Mills, Maureen (Don) Morin, and brothers-in-law; Denny O’Leary and Kevin (Deb) O’Leary, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, John Jay Knecht and a sister, Trish Knecht.

Jim’s family will greet friends on Friday, August 23 from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home at 9170 East D Avenue, Richland, MI 49083. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 24 at 11:00 am at the funeral home with Father David Pinto presiding. Interment will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s honor may be directed to The O’Leary Foundation at 520 W Jacker Ave, Houghton, MI 49931. Pre-addressed envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Personal messages for Jim’s family may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.