Samuel R. James

Samuel R. James - After a long, arduous recovery from a massive heart attack suffered August 1, 2016, Samuel R. James, 62, died unexpectedly in his sleep Saturday, October 21, 2017. In that year, he faced many health challenges courageously and optimistically but in the end, the damage was too severe and he finally lost his battle.

He was born in Grand Rapids on September 16, 1955, and grew up in Standale, MI. Sam was preceded in death by his parents, George and Jessie (Newhouse) James.

He is survived by and will be missed by his wife, Hairong; daughter, Elizabeth, and step-daughter, Sheila; brother, Richard (Linda); brother, David (Rosemary); sister, Mary (and friend John); brother, Paul (Kay); many nieces, nephews, and cousins, as well as good friends, Thom and Muriel Eno, Janet Lennerth, Jose Gomez, Lisa and Dan Woods, and Charles and Miri Bracken.

He and Liz shared the same quirky, inquisitive mind and he was very proud of her. They always wanted to know “why” and “how” something worked. Sam was the fourth member of his family to work for GM. He started at Diesel Equipment Division on Burlingame and retired 30 years later from the Delphi plant in Coopersville, MI. In his “retirement,” he went on to work for different companies as an independent contractor in China, Jackson, MI, and Dearborn, MI. Sam was working for the Thorez Manufacturing Company, in Jackson, MI, when he had his heart attack and that family has been very supportive in his immediate and continuing care. Sam liked to read, ride bikes, practice Tai Chi, fix his and other people’s computers, and enjoy life any way he could.

The family would like to thank Providence Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, Zeeland, MI, for their care of Sam during the past year. Sam will be cremated, according to his wishes, and further arrangements will be announced later.

The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcares.com.