James Roe

James Thorpe Roe, age 83, a long-time resident of Galesburg, Michigan, passed away at home on August 10, 2020. He was born on March 30, 1937 in Kalamazoo, Michigan to the late Clifford S. Roe and Rosella M. (Thorpe) Roe. He has one brother Douglas Roe and two sisters Viola M. (Roe) Pathic and Janet Ford. He met Lynn Marian Crowner at Kalamazoo Central High School and was married to her for 62 years. She preceded him in death on June 7, 2020. Jim did rodeo in his youth and early 20s. He was also a 50s motor head. He loved farming and living life with his many 'partners in crime.' His family was important to him as were the many relationships he developed over the years with people around the county. Jim worked as a heavy equipment operator at Woolf Excavating for over 55 years. Later in life, he took up golfing and RC helicopter flying. Jim made sure his girls knew how to do everything with the trucks and tractors just like, or better, than the boys. In addition to farming and raising horses on the Roe Ranch, Jim and Lynn raised three children-Suzanne K. (Jamie) Garrett, Sandra J. (Steve) Champion and Timothy J. (Lori) Roe both of whom died on February 2, 2013. Their grandchildren include Timothy J. "T.J." (Laura) Franz, Timothy J. (Casey) Garrett, Alicia C. (David) McKay, Jennifer L. Garrett, James T. Franz, Matthew A. Champion, Philip C. Champion, James C. (Lacie Ranes) Roe, and Jeremiah S. (Renee) Roe. The great grandkids include Carsyn, Leah, Frankie, James T "Bubba," Aiden, Ethan, Rory, Oakley, Nathan, Paige, Jonathon, Carter, Jaydan, Brooklyn and Abby. A public celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2020, from 2 pm to 4 pm at Woolf Excavating, Inc., 2829 Cambridge Terrace, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan 222 N. Kalamazoo Mall #100 Kalamazoo, MI 49007. He will be interred at Roof Cemetery in Charleston Township. Please visit Jim's personalized web page to sign his online guest book and leave a condolence or message for his family at: https://www.langelands.com