James "Jim" Allen Klumpp

James A. Klumpp, 78, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at the Lt. Col Charles S. Kettles VA Medical Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was born on June 16, 1947, to the late Arthur and Muriel Klumpp of Dexter, Michigan.

Jim is survived by his son Jared. He is also survived by brothers, David (Barbara) and Ronald Klumpp. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Martha, and parents Arthur and Muriel.

Jim loved his hometown of Dexter. He grew up next door to his paternal grandparents on Dover Street. He participated in school and sports activities, the Boy Scouts, and volunteered his time to St. Andrew’s Church of Christ and American Legion events. He graduated from Dexter High School in 1965. Jim briefly attended Ferris State College before working at the King-Seeley Plant, which was later acquired by Chrysler Motor Company. In 1967, he was drafted into the United States Army, and served as a combat infantryman in Vietnam before being honorably discharged in 1973.

Shortly after his military service ended, Jim returned home to Michigan and met the love of his life, Martha Selden. On September 7, 1974, they were married at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Port Huron. Jim and Martha made their home in Dexter and later welcomed their son Jared. The family spent 25 years in Dexter, then briefly in Chelsea before moving to Auburn Hills with the opening of the Chrysler World Headquarters, where Jim retired after a 41-year career with the company. Jim remained an Auburn Hills resident at the time of his death.

Jim always loved to travel, usually with his golf clubs packed. As a young family, Jim looked forward to annual road trips around the USA with Martha, Jared and their dogs, as well as family camping trips to Canada. As a teenaged Boy Scout, Jim had the opportunity to work as a football usher at the “Big House.” He spent 59 years serving the same section at the stadium (Section 2). He also served as a basketball usher at Crisler Arena for 18 seasons. Jim took his love of Michigan athletics on the road, visiting most Big 10 stadiums as well as the Rose Bowl and other bowl stadiums.

After losing Martha unexpectedly in 2013, and following his retirement from Chrysler and the addition of Dodge in NASCAR, Jim included himself among their devoted fanbase, traveling to all but one track. There he met and befriended multiple drivers and media personalities, affectionately earning the moniker “Michigan Jim” for frequently donning the maize and blue in the background of tv coverage.

Jim was deeply and humbly committed to his fellow veterans following his service in the Army. He served as past Commander of the Dexter American Legion Post 557 as well as the Sons of the Dexter American Legion Post 557. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), and served as a Washtenaw County Soldier and Sailor Commission for 30 years.

It is difficult to put into words how profoundly he will be missed.

A service to celebrate Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, June 13 at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s United Church of Christ in Dexter, Michigan, (informal, wear your best maize and blue), followed by a luncheon at the Dexter American Legion Post 557.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to American Legion Post 557 or DAV.gov