James Given

with family present.

Jim was born in Topeka, Kansas on September 17, 1931. Jim was predeceased by his wife Elaine of 61 years, and survived by his children Kate Bell (Graham) of Kents Store, Virgina, Dawn Horstman of Palmer, Alaska, and Mike Given of Alger, Michigan; grandchildren Alexandria Given of Englewood, Florida and James Given (Cailin) of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; and special forever friends Coy Woodruff of DeWitt, Michigan, and Jerry Sutton of Lansing, Michigan. Jim and his family moved from Kansas to Michigan, then to Terre Haute, Indiana where Jim graduated from high school and excelled at baseball. Following high school the family moved back to Michigan (Lansing) where the family business, Given Trucking, was born.

Jim then went into the Marines and on to fight in the Korean War where he was awarded a purple heart medal. After Korea, Jim played minor league baseball for several years and during that time, married Elaine in 1956 in Reno, Nevada. After several seasons, Jim and Elaine moved back to Lansing where they raised their family. Jim continued to play baseball with various Lansing city league teams for several years until his retirement from the game in 1976. Jim worked in the family business until it was sold. Once Jim finally retired, he loved to travel; that is he loved to chauffer Elaine around the country.

A memorial service for Jim will be held on April 6, 2024 at 11am at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home

Rest in Peace. Semper Fi.