James Michael Frishkey

James Michael Frishkey, a Plano, TX resident for 41 years, passed away on Thursday, January 1, 2026 at the age of 79. James was born in Pittsburgh, PA, and moved to Detroit, MI, during middle school. He graduated from Franklin High School in Livonia and worked for General Motors for over a decade before moving with his family to Phoenix, AZ. From there, they moved to Plano in 1984, where he continued his successful career in automotive parts industry sales and marketing.

In his retirement years, he wrote and self-published several fiction political thrillers, including the Markov series. Throughout his life, he was an avid musician, playing bass as a session musician in Detroit and guitar in the Plano rock cover band he founded called Still Kicking. He will be lovingly remembered for his wicked sense of humor (including funny voices and memorable phone pranks), Harley Davidson motorcycles, a deep love for animals, and unconditional love for his family.

James is survived by his wife Janice Frishkey, daughters Amy Frishkey (Aaron Muguerza) and Melissa Tumminello (Chris Tumminello), granddaughter Annie Tumminello, first cousins Nancy Fedorski and Peter Rapin, and cousins Kim Lucas Veenis, John Fedorski, Caitlin Rapin Johnson, Pierce Rapin, Zack Veenis, Garrett Veenis and Taylor Veenis.