Walter James

Fred passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side on April 3, 2025. Fred was born February 23, 1936, the son of the late Walter F. James and Mamie E. James of Mishawaka, IN.

Fred was a proud, devoted, loving father and loved spending time with his family. Fred graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1954, and thereafter joined the Navy, where he served on the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt. After his time in service, he started to work at Eatons/Fullers for 28 years before getting his license as a realtor. In 1983, Fred became an appraiser and opened Kal/Creek appraisal with business partner Joel Francis, retiring in 2002. Fred loved to fish, camp, and tend to his garden, as well as being active with the community. Fred served on the board of Twelve Baskets for 4 years and the board of Greater Kalamazoo for 37. He spent many years volunteering for churches and helping those wherever there was a need.

Fred was preceded in death by his loving wife, Shirley K. James-they had 58 wonderful years together before her passing in 2017. Fred was preceded in death by his in-laws, Roscoe "Moe" and Evelyn Clark, with whom he had a special relationship.

Fred has a younger brother William C. (Cheri) "Bill" James of Elkhart, IN, with whom he had an especially close relationship. Fred has one son, Timothy S. (Shelly) "TJ" James and their children/grandchildren Stacy, Janelle, Chris, Aiden, Lilly, and Avery, all of Houghton Lake. Fred has one daughter, Julie L. James of Kalamazoo and two grandsons, Jacob C. James and Jackson J. Peake, who reside in Kalamazoo and Portage, MI.

He was also close to his wife, Shirley's, siblings, Norma (August), John (Jenny), Wanda (Wiley), Terry (Sue), Robert "Bucky", Donna (Donnie), Bonnie, Everett, and Roscoe Jr., along with numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 2:00pm at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

Memorial contributions can be made to Emmanuel Hospice of Southwest Michigan or Twelve Baskets Food Pantry of Portage, MI.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.