James Harold Larkin II

Jim loved spoiling his wife, spending time with his family especially his children and grandchildren. Jim looked forward to his weekly Sunday phone call with his dad. He had a passion for cooking, smoking meat and BBQing, he loved riding his motorcycle with the music up loud, taking his wife on her annual ride for her birthday, going to lots of concerts, fishing, especially the annual trip with his dad, son, brother-in-law and nephew and great nephew. He loved being a mentor and would teach anyone who wanted to learn and skill he had. Every night at 7pm he took their dog, Sixx out and played gun ball with him until he had to make Sixx stop because he would keep going and going if Jim didn’t. He loved floating around in the pool and sitting his hot tub that he affectionately called “Bubbles”.

Jim was introduced to Mel when he started working for her uncle at Jones Sign Company in the mid-80’s after moving his family to Michigan from Texas. Many years later they would meet again, on an off chance. It started with a phone conversation, and they were together for 29 years after that.

Jim’s passion for cooking and BBQ lead him to become the owner of Grannies Restaurant in Conroe TX. Jim worked in the sign business for 40 plus years, starting work in Texas working with his grandfather, Uncle Dick and his father Jim. When he moved back to Michigan, he worked for a few sign companies there, one of which was Jones Sign Company in Flint MI, where he met the owner's niece who many years later would become that love of his life. He and Mel opened J & M Sports Stuff on Fenton Rd. in Flint, where Jim ran the business and loved interacting and teaching the young customers about the older generation sports figures. At that time is when Pokémon was super popular, and he would hold tournaments inside the store. Josh, Derek and Alannah would participate frequently in these. The store was featured in The Flint Journal, highlighting the tournaments and his involvement with the kids. Jim was selected by one if the sports card companies to hold Flip Challenges sponsored by them. Later Jim was given the opportunity to travel the country hanging and working on signs at Anchor Sign out of South Carolina, before changing careers working and moving to TFE. He worked for Transmission Fluid and Equipment for 12 years as a Transportation Specialist.

Jim is survived by the love of his life for 29 years, Melody Larkin of Fort Wayne, IN; father, James H. Larkin of Mount Morris, MI. his little buddy Sixx Pack, children, Cristal (Jason) Reader Fort Wayne IN: James Larkin III Flint MI: Joshua (Alison) Larkin Boulder CO: Derek (Tiffani) Sias and Alannah Crockett, both Flint MI: sisters Stephanie Larkin (Fiancée Mark) and Stacie Moody (Jon) both of Mount Morris MI: sister-in-law Kathy Larkin of Bellaire, MI: Brothers in law Robert Sias, Flint MI, Heath Sias (Courtney), Flushing MI grandchildren Lacie Reader, Landin (Lexy) Reader, Noelle Crockett, Snoe Wicks, Kenneth Wicks, Jaidahre Wicks, Amorah Wicks, Alenah Wicks, Arriela Barger, Saphira Secord and Adrena Jarrell and nieces and nephews – Adam (Trisha) Perry Lapeer MI, Ethan Moody, Mount Morris MI: Adrianna Earegood, Fowlerville MI: Raven Sias, Flint MI: Thomas Sias, Sandusky OH: Kodi (Kaitlyn) Sias, Mooresville NC, Gavin Sias and Isabella Sias, both of Flushing MI; great Nephews Aiden and Levi both of Lapeer MI; special family friends, Kim, Cam, Caleb and Anjalena “Nene”.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sara Larkin, brothers, Doug Larkin, David Larkin, sister, Kellie Larkin and his mother-in-law Pennie Sias.

Memorial visitation will be from 2-5 pm Sunday August 13, 2023, at D.O. McComb and Sons Maplewood Park Funeral Home 4017 Maplecrest Road Fort Wayne, IN. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation www.t2t.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at https://www.mccombandsons.com for the Larkin family.