James Kahler

James Ross "Jim" Kahler, age 82, of Kalamazoo, MI passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at his home. He was born on January 27, 1935 in Battle Creek, MI a son of James Ross and Evelyn (Brown) Kahler. Jim entered the US Army in 1957 and was honorably discharged in 1959. He went on to graduate from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor degree in education. Later he returned to WMU to earn his masters in counseling. Jim taught English and History in the Kalamazoo Public Schools for many years and served as a student counselor at Loy Norrix High School before retiring in 1991. Jim was an avid golfer. He religiously met his golfing buddies for breakfast and a round every Thursday, and was on the golf course as much as possible. He and Joni spent the month of February in the Florida Panhandle so he could get his rounds in during the winter. Even in poor health, Jim would ride in the cart with his friends just to be out on the course. He was known even to take a nap on the fairway if the mood struck him. . He also loved fishing and pheasant hunting, and did both until he was no longer physically able to. Jim's passion for English literature was well known and cherished. He particularly loved the Lost Generation writers - Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Elliot, Faulkner, Wilfred Owen - and decades after he retired from teaching, he would become animated describing how he taught a certain book or poem, or reached a particular student. He could recite many poems and famous (or not so famous) lines by heart. One of his favorites was Edna St. Vincent Millay's "My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - it gives a lovely light!" This is typical of the passion and energy with which Jim lived his life. He put all he had into living. He was known for his quick wit and off the cuff one-liners, and was always fishing for a joke. Hilarity often ensued in his later years when his hearing declined and his one-liners may not have actually responded to the topics being discussed. During his Army years, Jim was stationed in Germany and traveled through Europe. On one such trip, he met his hero Ernest Hemingway at a cafe in Spain, and until his death kept a photograph he took of Hemingway on the wall of his home. He claimed to have run with the bulls in Pamplona. At the very least he was an engaged spectator. Jim appreciated the best things life had to offer. He was famous for his love of dessert, especially pie. Often he would be on to the pie long before the rest of his companions finished dinner. But he also had great compassion for others, and did what he could to make this world become a better place. He had many charities that were dear to him, mainly related to women's rights and medical research. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and former spouse Marj Kahler. On August 3, 2002 Jim married Joni O'Connor who survives. Also surviving are a daughter, Karrie Beth Kahler of Morgantown, WV; three step-children and their spouses, John O'Connor & Cassie Frank of Cambridge, MA, Erin & Jayson Field of Bloomfield, MI and Kate O'Connor & Jeffrey Freeman of Chicago, IL; four grandchildren, Conor Field, Declan Field, Rashida O'Connor and Genevieve Freeman; a brother, Russ & Donna Kahler; and two nieces, Karla Kahler-Leary and Shelley Kahler. Cremation has taken place. A memorial gathering is being planned for this coming spring in the Parkview Hills Clubhouse. Memorials in Jim's name may be directed to the National Organization of Women, the National Democratic Party; Planned Parenthood, the or to the Alzheimer’s Association or to the charity of one’s choice.