Born on June 13, 1929, in Toledo, Ohio, Jim attended Blessed Sacrament School and Parish before earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Toledo. There he met his future wife, Shirley Schnell. They married in 1953 and shared 65 wonderful years together and had five children.
Jim began his career with Willys Jeep before being drafted into the U.S. Army in 1954, the same day his first child, Mary, was born. While stationed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, he worked under Wernher von Braun on the Redstone Missile and Jupiter-C rocket. Following his military service, Jim joined the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors, where he spent more than 30 years as an engineer and later Chief Design Engineer. He earned several patents, helped introduce computer technology to General Motors, and took great pride in contributing to Oldsmobile's most successful years before retiring in 1988.
Inspired by his son, Thomas, Jim became a dedicated advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities. Through the Greater Lansing Association for Retarded Children (later Citizens), he helped expand community living opportunities for people with developmental disabilities throughout Michigan. In retirement, Jim volunteered with the East Lansing Kiwanis Club, served on the Board of Directors of the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum, and remained active with the General Motors Engineers Retiree Association.
Above all, Jim was devoted to his family. Sunday Mass, family dinners, summers "Up North," and sharing his trademark dry wit created cherished memories for his children and grandchildren.
Jim is survived by his children: Mary (Dan) Hunt, Thomas Dawson, Julie (Derek) Williamson, and John (Jane Vetto) Dawson; grandchildren Ann (Patrick Hussey) Hunt, Jennifer (Alex) Crosby, Kathryn (Florian Berger) Williamson, Matthew Williamson, Emma Williamson, Robert Dawson, and James Dawson; and great-grandchildren Rory Hussey, Emerson Hussey, Christopher Crosby, and Daniel Crosby. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Shirley, and his daughter, Lucille.
Visitation and a rosary service will be held Thursday, September 3, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman East Chapel, 1730 E. Grand River Ave., East Lansing, MI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, September 4, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 955 Alton Rd., East Lansing, followed by interment at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lansing.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Residential Options, Inc., 2400 Science Parkway, Okemos, MI 48864
