James Hamrick

James "Jim" L. Hamrick, Jr., age 76, of Kline's Resort in Three Rivers, passed away peacefully on October 5, 2025. Born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jim was the son of James Sr. and Opal (Bricker) Hamrick. As a proud graduate of Fort Wayne Northside High School in 1967, Jim earned varsity letters in both football and swimming. In 1968, he answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force, where he served in Vietnam. Over his 20-year military career, Jim rose through the ranks to become a squad First Sergeant-a role in which he thrived, earning First Sergeant of the Year award three times. While serving, Jim met and married Linda Koss, a fellow service member in the U.S. Navy. Together, they built a life filled with love and purpose, raising two daughters. After retiring from the Air Force, the family settled in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Jim continued to serve his community in various roles. He worked as a sales representative for P.B. Gast and Sons, operations manager for IHS Distributing, and later retired as a Marine Department manager at D&R Sports Center-where he also delighted customers as the store's beloved Santa Claus. Jim's dedication to service extended beyond his professional life. He was a firefighter and first responder with Kalamazoo Township for 13 years, a proud Mason and Shriner, and an active member of the VFW Post 5189 in Vicksburg. An avid outdoorsman, Jim found joy in fishing and sharing his passion with others. "Grandpa Jim" taught children to fish through local parks and recreation programs, educated customers at D&R Sports, and was a member of the Battle Creek Steelheaders. He cherished time spent with family and friends, hosting fishing tournaments, fish fries, and card parties that brought people together. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Linda Hamrick; daughters Julie (Jeff) White and Elizabeth (James) Rouse; grandchildren Maya Young, Morgan White, and Jodie White; and a wide circle of extended family and friends. A gathering to celebrate Jim's life will be held on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 12:00 to 3:00 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 411 East Centre Avenue, Portage. Military honors will be rendered at 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Projector the VFW Post 5189 in Vicksburg. To share memories or condolences, please visit

www.langelands.com.