On Sunday, January 23rd, 2022, James Edward Beach, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather passed away peacefully at the age of 83 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo.
Jim was born on June 19, 1938 in Battle Creek, MI to Donald and Mary Jane Beach. He married the love of his life, Ruth Louise Bliznakoff on November 2, 1962. They went on to have 3 children together, Mike, Ed and Mary.
Jim graduated from Battle Creek Lakeview High School in 1956 and served his country in the U.S. Air Force. Jim started his career in the financial services industry at People Savings and Loan, where he met his beautiful wife Ruth, and continued his 25-year career as a Manager at VA Hospital Credit Union in Battle Creek, Brown Company Credit Union and ended with Northwestern Industrial Credit Union of Kalamazoo. For the past 30 years Jim was the proud owner of JB's Specialty Advertising, through which he met many of his life-long friends.
Jim was a huge sports fan, Red Wings, Lions, Tigers, NASCAR, especially University of Michigan Football. As his children grew up you could find him at the ice rink where he would watch Mike and Ed play hockey, Mary figure skate and wrap the day up with a K-Wings game. Boating and fishing with his friends and family was a priority and joy in his life. In the 1970's he enjoyed fishing and relaxing with his family at Portage Lake where he owned his weekend getaway. This continued throughout the rest of his life. Some of his most memorable times were trips to Canada and yearly trips to Drummond Island with his childhood friends or at his cherished lake home in Delton. Lake life continued with his son Mike in Canadian Lakes and his son Ed in Jackson and Lake St. Clair. He loved vacations, warm weather and winter in Daytona Beach when he was able. He looked forward to his almost daily visits with his daughter Mary.
He enjoyed home improvement projects, woodworking and baking pies for his family and friends. He loved a good get together. He was always first to the party and last to leave. He loved his weekend estate sales and weekly coffee with friends.
He took pride in helping raise his grandchildren. He would take his granddaughter, Taylor, to the root beer stand and for breakfast. He cherished time with Jacob and his dog, Dublin. He loved visits with his grandchildren, Mike Jr, Kimberly, Caitlin, Megan and Ryan. Taking all of his grandchildren out for shopping on Black Friday was a tradition and breakfast, lunch and dinner was a must whenever they were in town.
Jim had a love for dogs. He adored his dogs, Rusty and Beau, and grand dogs Dublin, Mason and Finley.
Jim was not happy unless he was doing something. He would do anything for anyone. Jim had a servant's heart. Jim attended Comstock Church of Christ for several years and then attended Oakland Drive Christian Church.
He was honored to have his loving wife Ruthie by his side and took pride in making sure she was well cared for. Their love was one of a kind.
Jim is survived by his wife of 59 years Ruth, his three children, Michael Beach, James "Ed" (Janelle) Beach Jr. and Mary Jane (Douglas Sr.) Haring; grandchildren, Michael (Alexandra) Beach Jr., Kimberly Beach, Caitlin Beach, Megan Beach, Ryan Beach, Douglas Haring Jr., Jacob Haring and Taylor Haring; great grandchildren, Ezra, Violet, Nevaeh, Maya and Nicholas; and his nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his father; Donald Beach, mother; Mary Jane Beach, uncle; Herb Willard, aunt; Virginia Willard, father-in-law; Vasil Bliznakoff, mother-in-law; Mary Bliznakoff, daughter-in-law; Brenda Beach, sister-in-laws; Sonja Baker, Mary Bliznakoff, Eileen (Mitzy) Meloff, and brothers-in-law; Dan Bliznakoff, Paul Meloff, Frank Paganini, niece; Michelle Slone.
Jim made friends wherever he went, but he cherished his close and longtime friends, Gayleen Beavers, Garry and Sharon Boston, Sherri Brown, Scott and Vicki Burdick, Paul and Nancy Chiba, Lonnie Doolittle, Lenny Dubert, Marge and Hugh Garside, Paul Gregory, Tom and Bonnie Harvey, Sandy Jacob, Don and Pat Knowles, John Parsons, Gwen and John Steenhoven, Steven Morrison, Ray and Cindy Thomas, and Todd Triesenberg.
Jim's family would like to thank the staff of Rose Arbor for the compassionate care they showed their father.
A special thank you to loving friend Gwen Steenhoven.
A special thank you to Trisha Dellinger who was like a daughter to him.
According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of James Edward Beach to Paws with a Cause.
www.pawswithacause.org
Please visit James' personalized online guestbook at www.langelands.com