James William Timmerman

J ames William Timmerman, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning of February 17, 2025. Jim, as he was usually called, was also called a by few other names throughout his life. All good, I promise!

Son to his parents, Fredrick and Helena Timmerman, who preceded him in death, Jim was born on October 8, 1938 in Monona, Iowa. Brother to Allan Timmerman and twin brother to the late Janice Horwood. Brother-in-law to Allan’s wife Joan Timmerman, Janice’s husband William Horwood, and James Shriver, all who preceded him in death. Jim was also a loved uncle and is survived by loving nieces Karen Grossnickle, Kimberley Bussell (Gary), Christopher Timmerman (Shannon), Stephany Brown, and Jes Shriver (Rhonda) as well as many grand nieces and nephews.

Husband of 56 years to the late Barbara. Jim always would say “She was a great lady”. He is now reunited with his love, and they are dancing again, free of the aches and pains and sickness of the last years.

Dad or Daddy or Big Jim, to his kids Bradley Timmerman and Tracy (Michael) Rozman and Grandpa to his beloved grandchildren Nicholas and Alayna. He was the best dad. He was actively involved in Brad and Tracy’s lives and interests. He put up with Tracy’s roller skating and dancing throughout the house, but never told her to stop. He encouraged Brad’s interest in sports like soccer. He became a soccer coach for both Brad and Tracy’s teams and learned all he could from reading coaching books. On summer nights he would take the kids to the golf course and let them drive the golf carts around while he set the water system, and this is where they both learned to drive.

The game of golf is where Jim got a few more names. Sparky was the nickname given to him by some of his employees at Orchard Lake Country Club in Orchard Lake, Michigan, where Jim spent 30 years, 1970 – 2000, perfecting his craft and becoming a well-respected golf course superintendent. He retired from Orchard Lake, but went right back to work as an agronomist and then finished out his career as the superintendent at Stoneycroft Hills Club in Bloomfield, MI. Until the day he died, some of his past employees still called him friend.

His golf career spanned 50 years and throughout that time Jim served on countless committees and selflessly gave many hours of his time for the advancement of the profession of Golf Course Superintendent as well as for the game of golf.

Gentleman Jim. This is the moniker he was given when he was written about in the magazine, “Golf Course Management” in March 1984. Jim had just been elected as President of the Golf Course Superintendent Association of America. To quote the article, “GCSAA’s new president could easily be mistaken for a university chancellor, an investment banker, or a career diplomat. The man has presence. He also has dignity, bearing and aura of astute perception about him. He is a thinker, to be sure, but one who projects an appealing combination of quiet warmth and mature, gentle wit.”

He was the former President of two other associations as well, Michigan and Border Cities Golf Course Superintendents Association and Michigan Turfgrass Foundation. In March 2019, he received the Golf Association of Michigan Superintendent Award of Merit.

Jim was also a lifelong student. He loved to learn. He graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1956 and went on to Michigan State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in soil science in 1964 and a master’s degree in soil science in 1968. He continued to learn and challenge himself. He would often do math problems just for fun. In later years he took investment classes. Jim loved to read, watch the news, TV shows and films. He was always interested in life and kept himself busy. You could find him out planting in the yard or building something useful with is hands. He taught himself woodworking and built out his kitchen and transformed his 1936 home’s boiler room and garage into a family room.

Jim was also a competitor. In high school he lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. He was also an avid bowler and was proud to have bowled a 300 game and an 800 series in league play. He loved playing games like Scrabble, Monopoly, and especially poker.

Jim’s life was full of so many things, but especially love and he will be missed by all who loved him.

A funeral visitation for James will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386. A funeral service will occur Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 1:00 PM, 1233 Union Lake Road, White Lake, Michigan 48386. A burial will occur Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Pine Lake Cemetery, West Bloomfield, Michigan.