James Rickard

James “Jim” Beebe Rickard Jim Rickard, 92, of Traverse City passed away peacefully at the Villa with his family by his side on September 17, 2024. Jim was born on June 14, 1932 in Iowa City, IA to the late Roy Victor and Claire (Beebe) Rickard. In his younger years, he was classified as an army brat and his family moved around often. He had many adventures in Europe including attending the Nuremberg Trials after WWII. He graduated from Nuremberg Dependents High School in Germany in 1950 where his father was stationed as a Major General. He later received a scholarship to swim for Michigan State University and graduated in 1956. While at MSU, he met Kathleen “Kay” Beuerle. Together they united in marriage on June 20, 1958 in Detroit. Their first home was in Fenton where he worked for General Motors. Jim and Kay welcomed their first two kids while in Fenton, Dan and Susan. The family then moved to Alpena where their son David was born and Saginaw before their ultimate and best move to Traverse City in 1965 when he worked for the Xerox Corporation. In 1982, Jim and Kay opened The Copy Shop, a staple in Traverse City that still is owned and operated by their son Dan today. Jim made the most of living and working in Northern Michigan traveling to make sales calls from Big Rapids to the West end of the Upper Peninsula. While working, he found some "time" to find brook trout in many less traveled places. His "happy place" was a creek in the middle of a large swampy woods and with his family. Jim passed up opportunities with Xerox to work in other cities so he and his family got to stay in Traverse City, the place that offered his family a great place to grow up and adventure, and they did! After Jim and Kay retired, they enjoyed camping in their travel camper. Throughout his life, always the consummate fisherman, he loved nothing more than casting his way up a trout stream. He also spent many hours pulling wire on East and West Bays in pursuit of lake trout. Jim provided many fine fish feasts along with fishing stories and tales to family and friends. He spent many hours in and on the water with his kids and grandkids. He organized many boating trips that family and friends will always remember. Jim and Kay also enjoyed spending many winters in Everglade City, Florida. Jim was a proud member of AA for over 40 years. He was an incredible sponsor and also a regular volunteer with the organization. The Elks Lodge was a favorite gathering place for Jim. He volunteered many hours for Elks "Dinner" fundraising for various groups. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Thomas and Daniel and sister Mary Alice, better known as Tuke to family and friends. Jim is survived by his wife of 66 years, Kay; their children Daniel (Jessica) Rickard, Susan (Jerry) Carpenter and David (Barbara) Rickard; grandchildren Carrie Carpenter, Kevin (Clare) Carpenter, Dylan and Hannah Rickard, Kalie (Nate) Cook, Cameron and Keaghan Rickard; and six great grandchildren Emma, Madison, Tomas, Henry, Oakley, and Charley. The memorial service celebrating Jim’s life will take place on Saturday October 5, 2024 at 11:00 am with visitation beginning one hour prior at Grace Episcopal Church. He and Kay were members at Grace for nearly 60 years. A luncheon will follow in the parish hall. Memorial contributions may be directed to AA or to The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay.

James Rickard

June 14, 1932 - September 17, 2024