James W. Klecka

"This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it." This is exactly how James Klecka lived each day, confident and full of zest. Very much a family man, Jim loved his children, and many of his happiest memories in life involve the forty-two years he spent with his wife. He had a natural social talent that always left people charmed and smiling, and he was a good friend to the many people he knew throughout his life. Within the busyness of life, Jim could always focus on what was most important to him: the people he loved.

The early 1920s were a collage of interesting events. There were power struggles in Russia, Babe Ruth was setting records, and the first Miss America was crowned. But for most of the people living in North Muskegon, Michigan, such happenings were nothing more than headlines in a newspaper. Their lives centered around raising their families and earning a living. This was the life of Edward Klecka and his wife, Mary (Klika), who emigrated from Prague, Czechoslovakia at the age of 16. Already the proud parents of five children: Mamie, Ed, Millie, Clara and Joe, on August 14, 1921, they happily welcomed the birth of their son, James William, who completed the Klecka family.

Along with his five siblings, Jim grew up in their family home on Mills Avenue in North Muskegon, where his only surviving sister, Millie, lives to this day. Their house was just down the street from the fire station, where his father earned a living as a fireman for many years. In fact, up until his 80s, Jim's father still walked down to the station whenever the fire alarm sounded to find out what happened. In later years, Jim's brother Ed proudly followed in his father's footsteps and became a fireman and served as Fire Chief in their community for many years. Growing up in a large family wasn't always easy financially and Jim often wore hand me down shoes from his brothers. Although they were "poor as church mice", as Jim jokingly said, they also had a lot of fun and created many unforgettable childhood memories together. The boys would hunt in the woods near their home and whatever they caught their mother cooked up, and it was delicious.

Jim was a very bright young man and excelled in all his studies. After graduating from North Muskegon High School, Jim went on to attend Muskegon Business College. It was during this time that Jim and his friend decided to sow some wild oats and hitchhiked to New York to enlist in the Canadian Military, but couldn't fake their age, so they came back home. Jim was in his 20s when he met and married his first wife, Nancy Ewing, and they had three children together: Richard, Barbara and Ronald. When the United States became embroiled in World War II, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained to be a Signalman, the person who communicates between ships using flashing lights and flags. During his military service, Jim traveled all over the world while serving on a supply ship. He enjoyed living a sailor's life and staying physically fit.

Upon his honorable discharge, Jim returned home to his family and went to work in the Accounting Department at Continental Motors. He was a hardworking and loyal employee of Continental for over 20 years and had attained the position of Head of the Department. His wife, Nancy, also worked and was a writer for the Muskegon Chronicle. Meanwhile, Jim, Nancy and their three children were living in the Glenside area of Muskegon, where the children all attended school. Jim took an active role in his children's lives, attending school activities and being a Boy Scout Leader. Unfortunately, his marriage to Nancy had ended shortly after all the kids were out of school.

In 1961, a wonderful thing happened to Jim while at the Custer's Restaurant on Third Street in town. It was here he met his wife, Donna Carlson, who was a waitress there at night and an office worker during the day. She was also 15 years younger than him. No matter, Jim ordered his favorite chocolate malt and slipped his phone number to Donna with a note saying, "call me some time." Much to his dismay, she didn't call, but he was determined to win her heart. After many weeks of his persistent attempts, Donna finally agreed to a date, and they went to Lakos, a classy restaurant in town. Over the next several years, their love for each other blossomed and they were married in August of 1963, at Donna's church, Samuel Lutheran Church. Jim and Donna were very happy together, and shared many of the same interests. They loved to square dance and were part of a square dance group called Hi Neighbors, along with several other dance groups. In the winter months, the couple liked snowmobiling and even traveled around the country to enjoy this activity. A very social couple, Jim and Donna were active members at Samuel Lutheran Church, where Jim served on the Church Council on several occasions. They regularly attended Sunday services and sat in their usual pew each time, where Jim was known to take a short siesta every now and then during the sermon. They were also a part of the S&K group at church and had lots of fun at the potluck dinners.

Seven years after marrying his wonderful wife, Jim received another amazing birthday gift, the birth of his daughter, Kelly, on August 14, 1970. Being a bit older and wiser now, Jim felt he had a good handle on fatherhood this time, and enjoyed every minute raising his daughter. If that wasn't life altering enough, Jim's mother-in-law, Mina, moved in with them around this time, staying for the next 19 years. This wasn't all bad though, because now they had a permanent, trustworthy babysitter for Kelly, and they could continue to enjoy their social activities. The four of them also loved to go camping together. Raising Kelly, though, was Jim's first priority, and like in his adolescences, Kelly had a wild streak in her for a while too. She went on to graduate from Michigan State University, earn a Masters Degree from Indiana University and became a speech therapist, something Jim was extremely proud of.

In all this upheaval, Jim also decided to change jobs and left Continental to work as a Field Representative for the Social Security Agency. He truly loved this job and with his brilliant mind, he was very good at it too. Jim traveled statewide giving presentations to groups on retirement benefits and doing public speaking. He made sure to stay current on all new changes and became quite an expert in his field. For his dedication, Jim received many awards from the Social Security Agency, including the prestigious national Bartlett Humanity in Government Award in 1981. Jim was very well respected and many people sought his advice even after he retired in 1985. Once retired, Jim took up golfing, which became quite a passion for him. He played whenever and wherever he could. When Jim and a group of his buddies played together, they traveled around to all different courses throughout the area. He and Donna also enjoyed golfing and had played on several courses around the country. Their travels also took them to Spain and Bermuda.

Jim was a very intelligent man, a big numbers cruncher, yet a bit of a worry-wart. He was always concerned that things were getting done and done right. His daughter Kelly would joke with him saying, "Dad, what are you going to worry about today?" to which he'd reply, "I don't know, but I'll find something." Aside from his vast intellect, Jim was also a great handyman around the house. He tinkered with plumbing, electrical, woodworking and yard work and was very proficient at planning out each job. Jim's philosophy about handy work, which he shared with his son-in-law, Jeff, whom he was very close to, was "It's 80% in the head and 20% in the hands." In his more quiet moments, Jim loved to read, particularly about history, but enjoyed learning anything new. He also loved spaghetti and never missed a spaghetti dinner anywhere. Later on, Jim got a taste for Iced Mochas and he knew exactly where to get the best ones.

In 2000, Jim fell while doing a project at home and broke his hip. Then, while waiting for surgery, he had a heart attack and stroke, which put his life in grim condition. Although Jim pulled through, he had to walk with a cane and couldn't play golf anymore. Undeterred, Jim's spirit remained strong and positive, and his mind sharp as a whip. Devoted to her husband, Donna took Jim everywhere with her and when he couldn't get out his friends were there to lift him up and was by his side until the very end. When someone was leaving and remarked "see you later", Jim would wittingly say back "Promise?"

Jim Klecka strove to be the best man he could every day as a husband, father and friend. He will be greatly missed and frequently remembered by the many people whose lives he touched.

James W. Klecka died Wednesday, February 8, 2006. SURVIVORS include his wife, Donna Klecka; 2 sons, Richard (Bev) Klecka of Spring Lake, and Ronald (Lexie) Klecka of Annapolis, MD; 2 daughters, Barbara (Ernie Neckerman) Sager of OR, and Kelly (Jeff) Winters of Muskegon; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and 1 sister, Millie Klecka of North Muskegon. He was preceded in death by his 2 brothers & 2 sisters. SERVICE for Jim will be held on Sunday, February 12, at 3:00 p.m. at Samuel Lutheran Church with Rev. Christopher Anderson officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. VISITATION will be on Saturday, February 11, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home, and Sunday, from 2-3 p.m. at Samuel Lutheran Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, sign the online guestbook or make a memorial contribution to the Samuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund.