Forshee, James 3/31/1926 - 8/11/2018 Ann Arbor James "Big Jim" Forshee passed away at home at age 92, on August 11, 2018, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Jim was born March 31, 1926 on a dairy farm, and although he travelled all over the world, he never lived more than five miles from where he was born. He was the third child of Henry J. and Jane (Midgley) Forshee. Jim had three sisters, Dorothy, Virginia, and Jessie. When Jim was eight, his father died, which made it necessary for him to work very hard on the farm. The family had a year-round stall at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market for many years. Even through these hardships, he was an active member of the Boy Scouts, the Washtenaw County 4-H Club, and the First United Methodist Church Youth Fellowship. Jim attended Hagen School, a one room schoolhouse, through 8th grade. It was apparent from a young age he was a gifted athlete. He attended University High School for one year. He then had the opportunity to attend Henry Ford Trade School, where he became a draftsman. He graduated in June, 1944, and then enlisted in the Marines and served honorably during WWII. As a young Marine, Jim was a member of the 2nd Marine Division and participated in authorized operations and engagements in the Pacific Theater, including the Battle of Okinawa, and the Occupation of Japan. After his service to our country, Jim went to Ford Motor Company where he worked for 15 years. In 1955 he married Ruby Seyfried, and they had two children. In 1961, Jim took a risk, and resigned from his job at Ford to become a travelogue filmmaker and lecturer. Over this second career, he made 12 films from the Canadian Rockies to Italy. In spite of wearing two successful career hats, Jim was probably most proud of his "career" as a runner. While a late bloomer, starting at age 48, Jim ran about 30 races a year, winning his age-group in just about everything. He toed the starting line over 1,000 times and never dropped out of a race. In his own words, Jim said his most memorable moment occurred when he set a world age-group record in the 2-mile run at age 50, with a time of 10:33. He ran the hot and hilly Bobby Crim 10-mile Race, (Flint, MI), 35 consecutive times, including the final race of his life at age 85. He was known as a tireless advocate for five-year age-groups for runners of all ages, his ferocious kick at the end, and his competitive spirit. Jim is survived by his children, Ann (Gerald) Crane and John Henry Forshee; his sister, Jessie Siekmeier; and brother-in-law, Verne Scott, as well as his ex-wife, Ruby Patterson. Jim will be missed by his five grandchildren, Jeremy Crane; Emily (Marshall) Mack; Sarah (Chris) Conn; Benjamin Crane; and Abby Crane. He was very proud to become a great grandfather in 2014, and said he no longer wanted to be known as "Grandpa Big Jim," but instead to just call him "Great." Jim was preceded in death by his sisters Dorothy Scott; Virginia Forshee; and brother-in-law Don Siekmeier. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 1, at Muehlig Funeral Chapel, 403 South Fourth Avenue, Ann Arbor. Interment will follow at Washtenong Memorial Park. The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. until service time, at the funeral home. A reception at Jim's house will follow internment. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Semper Fi Fund, 825 College Blvd, Suite 102, PMB 609, Oceanside, CA 92057. Please make check payable to "Semper Fi Fund." Online donations can be made at https://semperfifund.org/donate/
