James A. Pickard, age 71, of Muskegon died peacefully Wednesday, May 29, 2019 after a short illness with cancer. He was born on February 2, 1948 to the late Carlton and Evelyn Pickard. James served in the Army as a military police officer during Viet Nam. He retired in 2009 from the Howmet Corp. after 43 years. James loved to go hunting, fishing, bowling, driving his wife to casinos, traveling, grilling out, and spending time with family and friends. He married his wife, Susan, on July 17, 1969, and she survives along with a daughter, Jamie (Jamie) Dill, a son Joseph C. Pickard, two sisters, Sheryl (Mike) Harper and Janice (Louis) Falcon, two granddaughters, Marissa and Courtney Herlein, his “favorite” brother, Carlton “Wayne” (Evelyn) Pickard, and many other extended family members. There will be a funeral service on Saturday, June 1, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at the Ever Rest Funeral Home and Chapel. Visitation will be on Friday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice.