James Thomas

James Thomas was a man who was not afraid of hard work and was dedicated to the causes he felt strongly about. He lived in the same home throughout the majority of his lifetime and this also is where James truly found peace.

By the middle of the 1940s, our country was shifting from a nation at war to a nation at peace with the end of WWII, in 1944. Returning servicemen created the baby boom during a time in which Dr. Ralph and Aileen Thomas, of Plainwell, Michigan, were expecting a child of their own. On January 17, 1946, they were truly blessed with the healthy birth of their son, James Andrew. James was raised in the family home in Plainwell with his older sister, Jean, and their father supported their family as a local doctor. Their family enjoyed spending time with each other and fond memories were made out at Pine Lake, located northeast of Plainwell.

James attended local schools until at the age of 17; he left school to join the United States Navy. He proudly served his country and remained patriotic throughout the rest of his lifetime as he enjoyed the camaraderie of his fellow servicemen through his membership with the American Legion.

After completing his time of service, James resumed the life he left behind and he continued his education, earning an Associates degree from Pine Lake Training Center. James then found employment at Plainwell Paper, where he would work for the majority of his working days and where he also rose to the rank of Union President. After the plant closed, he then went to work at Mill Assist in Otsego until he retired.

There was much more to James than just work and with his leisure time, he pursued a variety of interests. He was spiritual and followed several television evangelists throughout his life. James also faithfully read his Bible and was a student of the Bible as well. James was gifted with words and loved expressing his talents, thoughts, and opinions through his published poetry or through numerous letters he wrote to the editor of the Kalamazoo Gazette. He also liked working on his computer from the comfort of his own home. James lived most of his life in the Plainwell area where he purchased his childhood home. Although he had many acquaintances throughout his life, he had two childhood friends, Butch Babbitt and Robert Stephens. Their friendships were of great value to James and helped sustain him throughout the peaks and valleys throughout his lifetime.

James Thomas was an intelligent and outspoken man who didn’t shy away from sharing his opinions with others. He loved being at home and sharing laughter and stories with his fellow servicemen and friends. James truly one-of-a-kind and will be dearly missed.

James Andrew Thomas died on Thursday, June 4, 2009 at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo. His family includes his son, Matthew Thomas of Englewood FL; sister, Jean Ann (Jack) Smith of Mt. Airy MD; and lifelong friends Bob Stevens and Butch Babbitt. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Hillside Cemetery in Plainwell. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a favorite memory or photo, sign his guest book, or make a donation to the Humane Society. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Homes- Plainwell, MI, 120 S. Woodhams, (685-5881).