James A. Hunt

James A. Hunt of Okemos, died unexpectedly, Wednesday, January 30, 2019 from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Jim was born on January 15, 1951 in Detroit and grew up in Lansing and Battle Creek, where he graduated from St. Philip Catholic High School.

After serving in the U.S. Army reserves, he graduated from Western Michigan University with a BA and MBA. Jim went on to hold several sales positions with various companies before starting his own company, Industrial Packaging Resources, LLC.

But, while Jim enjoyed his profession, his passion was college hockey. Jim spent over 15 years as the color commentator for the University of Michigan Hockey Radio Broadcast where he honed his skills as an interviewer and an advocate of the game. It didn’t matter who was playing, he loved to find a game to watch on fall and winter weekends. He also enjoyed college football and women’s softball, pro hockey, world and U.S. history, classic rock, and old movies.

During his prime, Jim enjoyed recreational softball, both men’s and co-ed teams, particularly his last team, Team Beer, in an Ann Arbor rec league. He prided that he anchored an all-women infield as the starting pitcher. That co-ed team won a men’s division in its final year and he reminisced about it often.

Jim leaves behind a large family who enjoyed his dry sense of humor and sarcastic wit. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary McIntyre; his mother, Marie Secor, Battle Creek; his sisters, Joan (Willard) Smith, Allegan; Mary (John) Rabbitt, Battle Creek; Kathy (John) Owen, Battle Creek; his brother, Tom (Karyn), East Lansing; 5 sets of in-laws, many nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews; and Tammi Lopez, to whom he was a father figure. He was preceded in death by his father, James V. Hunt.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 7th at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 1730 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823 from 5-7 p.m. and Friday, February 8th at St. Casimir Catholic Church, 815 Sparrow Ave, Lansing, MI from 10-11 a.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11 a.m.

Jim participated in several drug trials for Parkinson’s Disease research. So, in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research in his name, James A. Hunt, to further the cause to end and treat this debilitating disease. https://www.michaeljfox.org/get-involved/donation2.php

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.greastlansing.com