James Graham

James Graham, age 93, of Three Rivers, passed away peacefully at Rose Arbor Hospice on Sunday, January 5, 2014. Jim was born September 26, 1920, in Marion, Indiana, to Johannah (Bendfeldt) and Guy Wesley Graham. His family moved to Michigan in 1921, where Jim completed his public schooling and graduated from Portage Agricultural High School in 1939. He married Barbara Jean Swinehart on April 26, 1947, in Stetson Chapel, Kalamazoo, MI. Jim was inducted into the Army Air Corps in 1943, and flew as a tail gunner in B-26 bombers of the 394th Bomb Group (European Theater), completing 65 combat missions. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Jim retired from Consumers Power as a gas industrial service person in 1981. Jim was a lifetime member of the Masons, serving as the Worshipful Master of Brady Lodge (Vicksburg) in 1966. He is survived by his three children: Anita Gren, Randy (Polly) Graham, and Cheryl (Curt) Ingersoll; five grandchildren: Todd Gren, Trevor Gren, Donald Ingersoll, Whitney (Chris) Graham Alex, and Cathy (Marcus) Ingersoll Dohm; and four great-grandchildren: Carson and Ethan Ingersoll, and Sophie and Hershel Dohm; one sister: Betty Dankert; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barb, and his siblings: Walter, Lucille, Gladys, and Guy. Jim will be remembered for the gatherings he and his wife hosted at Pleasant Lake, his love for his family, card playing, generous spirit, sense of humor, and delight in sweets. Jim and Barb loved to travel; their trips led them across the country, always with visits to family along the way. Jim and Barb also enjoyed fine woodworking, creating many pieces of furniture treasured by family and friends. Avink Funeral Home Cremation Society of Schoolcraft is handling arrangements, with interment to be arranged at Fort Custer Military Cemetery. A memorial gathering for family will be held at a future date. In Jim's memory, the family suggests donations to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.