James M. Lick

James M. "Jim" Lick, 86, of Springfield, died Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at Select Specialty Hospital, Battle Creek. Jim was born February, 11, 1921 in Tutwiler, Mississippi and was the son of Walter and Emma (Sapps) Lick.

In Tutwiler, he learned at an early age how to work in the cotton fields on the Delta. Jim left Mississippi as a young man and moved to Memphis, TN for a short time and then, moved to Battle Creek in the late 1940s. His first employment was with the Battle Creek Coach Company, where he worked for several years as a mechanic on city buses. In 1963, Jim went to work for the City of Battle Creek as a mechanic in the Public Works Department from which he retired in 1985. He was a member of AFSCME Local # 1387.

Jim enjoyed fishing, camping, going to auction sales and repairing stock cars.

James is survived by his daughters: Sandra K. Parker, Diane S. (Rudy) Ramon and Mary Ann Lick all of Battle Creek; his son: Steven J. (Sue) Lick of Otsego; ten grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and sisters and brothers: Julia Bradford-Griffin, Alf Lick, Sue Owens, Walter Lick Jr., Jack Lick and Iris Deshan. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, the former Velma L. Willison, whom he married in 1945; she died on April 21, 1998. A brother, Garvis Lick and sisters, Betty Lick and Elsie Lonchar, also preceded him in death.

At the request of the family, friends may call at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home on Monday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service to celebrate Jim's life will be held Tuesday, November 13th at 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Matt M. Hayman, officiating. Interment will follow at Bedford Cemetery. Memorials directed to the family would be appreciated. To view James's life, visit http://james-lick. memory-of.com.

To leave a message for the family, visit www.farley estesdowdle.com.