It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of James Gilbert Walroth of Linden, Michigan on June 12, 2020 in Ann Arbor at University of Michigan Hospitals. He died peacefully surrounded by his wife, Gale and his children and grandchildren.
He was born on August 25, 1940 to Gilbert and Virginia Walroth in Delton, Michigan. He grew up on a farm and farming was a special interest throughout his life. He went to Plainwell High School where he played football. He married Beverly Gale Deason in 1961. He studied engineering at Western Michigan University. After graduating WMU, he went to work as an engineer for General Motors at the Chevrolet Engine Plant in Flint, Michigan. He worked for General Motors until he retired in 2004.
Jim and Gale have four children, Anthony, Amy, Ann and Allison(Mark Andrews). While raising children Jim was active with his children’s lives coaching sports teams and never missed a game, recital or after school activity.
Jim and Gale eventually purchased a farm where he raised sheep and various livestock. He became involved with the Mid Michigan Old Gas Tractor Association where he participated at the Annual Show in the Veneer Mill with one of his antique tractors. His Grandsons, Shane and Brady would spend the summers at the farm and would help with the Annual Show. He loved sharing his knowledge of antique tractors and knowledge “of the old farm life” with young and old.
Friends were important to Jim. They would gather at the farm in RVs to spend time together participating in Old West Shootout activities, canoeing, camping, hunting, etc. Jim’s friends were an extension of his family and meant a lot to him.
Jim was preceded in Death by his father, Gilbert (Gib) Walroth; Sister Patricia Ann Walroth; Grandparents John and Mary Angeletti; Grandparents Lee Killick and Harriet (Beattie) Killick; Grandfather John Carlton Walroth; Son-in-law Brad Ellis; and niece Martha Kelly.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Beverly “Gale” Walroth (Deason); his son Anthony (Tony) Walroth; his daughters Amy Walroth; Ann Walroth; and Sue (Mark) Andrews; Grandsons Shane Ellis and Brady Ellis; his mother Virginia Walroth; Sisters Nancy (John) Wintermute and Carol (Bob) Kelly of Bemidji Minnesota as well as nieces and nephews and beloved cousins Deanna and Jean Pifer.
A celebration of his life will be held on a later date at the farm in Linden, Michigan.
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