James Wilson

The stage is dark, the curtain has been drawn - the final act has ended.

James M. Wilson had the leading role in that production, a story that covered 84 years of service and dedication to family, business and community. No matter what the part required, Jim was up to the task, earning love and respect, along with many awards, through the years. Jim Wilson was truly a star.

In 1921, Kalamazoo, Michigan was a bustling community of colleges, theaters and politics. For James M. and Margaret (Hoag) Wilson, it was the perfect setting and time to raise their children. On March 19, 1921 they welcomed the birth of their son, James, who, along with his brother Paul and sister Beverly, spent his childhood in the family home on Westnedge Hill, by Crane Park .

Jim's father was a member of the Michigan legislature, and was away from home a great deal. Although he missed his father, through him, Jim acquired a keen sense of duty towards others. This did not, however, hinder him from creating a little mischief. Accompanied by his brother Paul, Jim was quite creative in finding things to do. More than once, Margaret would look up during a meal to find a pat of butter stuck to the dining room ceiling. The goal was to put a pat of butter on a napkin, put just the right amount of "flip" into the napkin, and hope the butter would make it to the ceiling and stick. As they got older, the two would push the family car down Westnedge Hill before starting the engine so that their mother would never know they were gone. Interestingly enough, Jim went away to boarding school in Leelanau, Michigan for the next few years.

Returning to Kalamazoo, this energetic young man graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School. From there he enrolled in Western Michigan University, applying himself for the next two years. While attending Freshman Orientation, Jim was drawn to a young beauty named Barbra Dougherty, from Three Rivers. The two were instantly attracted to one another and, torn between love and duty, Jim and Barb were married on June 8, 1943. There was no honeymoon, for World War II had arrived and Jim had joined the Army. Leaving for boot camp immediately after the wedding, Jim was later stationed in Bremerton, in the state of Washington . Missing her new husband and wanting to do her part, Barb joined the war effort by working at Henry Ford's B-24 bomber plant at Willow Run in Detroit . Eventually she was able to join Jim in Bremerton .

With his tour of duty completed, Jim and Barb returned to Kalamazoo, where Jim joined his father, brother and sister in the family business, the J.M. Wilson Corporation. Jim became a major player in the insurance industry. A member and past president of the American Association of Managing General Agents, he was deeply involved in a number of committees for insurance affairs at both Ferris State and Michigan State Universities. By the time of his retirement, Jim had risen to the position of CEO and president of the corporation, and later served as vice president of his son's business, Cameron Wilson and Associates, until his death.

In 1946, Jim and Barb were blessed with a daughter they named Lyn Ann. Their blessings were doubled when their son Cameron was born in 1950. Tragically, Lyn Ann died of polio at the tender age of seven.

Jim loved being on the water, especially beautiful Lake Michigan. The family spent their summers in South Haven, first living aboard their 28-foot sailboat, the "Cameo". Cam loved the boat as much as his father and would sometimes wait until his folks were asleep, and then he and his friends would carefully sail the "Cameo" out of the river and into the lake. Invariably, Dad would wake up to discover they were no longer moored, but moving across the water. Fortunately for Cam , Jim had a wonderful sense of humor, and rather than being angry, would talk and laugh with the kids for a while and then go back to bed.

Later, they spent their time on a 38-foot trawler they christened the "Terrapin". The "Terrapin" had been specially built to Jim's specifications, and delivered to South Haven from California on July 4, 1976 - the perfect way to celebrate our country's 200th anniversary.

In 1979, Jim and Barb took a momentous yearlong trip on the "Terrapin" - a trip known as the "great loop". Cruising the length of the mighty Mississippi River, they entered the Gulf of Mexico, and spent the winter months basking in the warm waters around Florida . Then on up the Eastern seaboard. When they reached the Hudson River, the "Terrapin", with Jim as her captain, continued on to the Erie Canal and back into the chain of Great Lakes. All along the way, friends joined them from time to time, making the trip that much more enjoyable. Every summer, "captain" Jim would take Barb on a boat trip to the northern part of Lake Michigan to areas like Harbor Springs and Beaver Island, but their favorite destination was Leland, with its quaint atmosphere and harbor of old fishing boats. Jim kept a motorcycle onboard for local transportation when they were docked. Making a beer run once at Beaver Island , he fell off the cycle and broke some ribs - but he saved the beer! This was typical of Jim Wilson.

Jim's interest in boating was not just for pleasure. He was dedicated to the sport, as a member of the South Haven Yacht Club, the Michigan Maritime Museum and serving as port captain for the port of South Haven for the Great Lakes Cruising Club. Jim raced sailboats most of his adult life and was a crewmember on the "210s" at Gull Lake and "Lightnings" at South Haven. He raced many Queens' Cup and Chicago to Mackinac campaigns.

The 'third mate" on many of these trips was the family schnauzer. Over the years, three different dogs held this position - "Schnoodle", Schnitzel" and "Scupper" - and each served his captain with love and devotion. Another frequent guest was Jim's good friend, Joe Corsiglia. Joe was in the restaurant business and he supplied the food for their Chicago to Mackinac races. While other crews were eating mere sandwiches, the Wilson crew dined on beef tenderloin, with all the trimmings.

Jim and Barb's travels were not limited to just the waters of Michigan. They loved to travel, and visited almost every state in the union. Some of their favorite locales were Australia, San Francisco, and Hawaii .

When he was home, Jim enjoyed a good round of golf at the Kalamazoo Country Club with his many friends. When attending insurance conventions, he always found time for a game with his fellow insurance agents. So that he could enjoy the game year round, Jim and Barb wintered in Florida for the past 25 years, in lovely Punta Gorda.

One would think that Jim Wilson had no time in his busy day for community affairs, but he made the time. Proud of his long time affiliation with the Republican Party, early on he served as Treasurer of the state's Young Republicans. He shared his talents as a member of the Kalamazoo School Board, and was a member of the Kalamazoo Country Club and the Masonic Lodge.

Thirteen years ago, Jim was blinded by glaucoma, but this did not dampen his enthusiasm for life. He became an avid listener of Books on Tape - non-fiction, history and biographies - as well as talk radio. Perhaps buoyed by the commentators he listened to, Jim could be a bit of a curmudgeon, as family and friends can attest to. He loved to spout off about all sorts of topics. When he would ask his son Cam to drive him to Florida, Cam would always say, "We'll never make it past Shipshewana without you sounding off about something".

The past thirteen years were brightened by Jim's precious grandchildren. Amanda, the first-born and a girl, always had a special place in Grandpa's heart. He loved all of his grandchildren, Amanda, Tristan and Tyler, but Amanda was truly the "apple of his eye". Perhaps because she was the last thing he saw before he lost his sight. Jim was also blessed in his final days by his devoted family - Cam and his wife Judy, and his loving wife, Barb. Through their great strength and courage, Jim was able to relive and enjoy the many memories he had gathered through out his lifetime.

"Og" from 'Finian's Rainbow', "Sakini" from 'Teahouse of the August Moon', "Ensign Frank Pulver" of 'Mister Roberts" - all are silent. The Civic Theater will not see the likes of Jim Wilson again, nor will the community of Kalamazoo . But the applause and shouts of "encore" for the wonderful story that was James M. Wilson, will continue to fill their hearts for ever.

Jim died on Thursday, June 30, 2005. Members of his family include his wife, Barbara; son and daughter-in-law, Cam and Judy Wilson; grandchildren, Amanda (Dean) Marks, Tristan and Tyler Wilson, all of Paw Paw; his mother, Margaret Kinch, of Boca Raton, FL. Jim was preceded in death by his father and by his daughter, Lyn Ann.

Friends are invited to gather at the Kalamazoo Country Club on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 11:30 a.m. to honor and share the story of Jim's life. Please visit Jim's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory. The family asks that memorial donations be made to the Michigan Maritime Museum , 260 Dykman Ave., South Haven, MI 49090. Arrangements by RDMG Life Story Funeral™ Home Portage Chapel.