Richard "Dick" Lee James

Richard “Dick” James Richard “Dick” James passed away peacefully at home on January 9th, 2013. Dick was born in Kewadin on November 2, 1937 to Frank and Rose (Pratt) James. Later in his childhood he was cared for by his foster parents Thad and Neva Flaugher for which he lovingly referred to as his “second family”. Dick graduated from Bellaire High School in 1958 where he was a standout on the varsity baseball, football and basketball teams. After high school, he served his country for four years by joining the Army. In 1962 he married Roberta “Bobbie” Wood of Mancelona and together they had three boys, Mark, Doug and Tom. Dick and Bobbie celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary just this past April. After Mark and Doug were born, Dick moved his family from Mancelona to Traverse City. After a short stint at Sheffer Collett, Dick began a career as an insurance professional with The Prudential which lasted over 15 years. In 1979, he decided to be his own boss and became an independent insurance agent. Late in 1988, Dick’s son Doug, also an insurance agent, decided to join forces and work together. This union lasted nearly 12 years until Dick’s retirement in 2000. Dick’s passion for baseball ran deep. He loved his Tiger’s, even in the “lean” years. He attended two games of the 1968 World Series and he, along with Bobbie also attended a game pitched by Mark Fydrich in his rookie season. This truly was a tough ticket to be had at the time. Coaching baseball was something that Dick loved to do. He coached his sons’ teams for seven seasons and assisted other coaches along the way. His coaching produced 6 championships in his seven seasons at the helm. Many of his “pupils” went on to play varsity baseball for what is now Traverse City Central. Five of the nine starters on the 1983 varsity baseball team played on Dick’s Babe Ruth team. Dick also played on many softball teams, both slow pitch as well as fast pitch at the old Walt Warren Field. He participated in softball up until the age of 60 when an injury from a slip on home plate ended his playing career. Throughout the 1970’s he played in the Traverse City Adult Touch Football League as well. When baseball was not going on, Dick was out in the woods where he loved to hunt deer and moose. He made several successful hunting trips to Canada where on one trip, he bagged one of the largest moose racks ever taken out of the Ontario province. His instincts for coaching also carried over to the outdoors as he has taught his sons and grandsons how to hunt and fish. Dick is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Roberta “Bobbie”. He is also survived by his son’s Tom of Denver, CO, Mark of South Bend, IN and his two children Leslie and Anthony, Douglas of Kalkaska and his wife Sherry and their two boy’s Preston and Brayden. Also surviving are two great grandchildren, one sister and three brothers. He was proceeded in death by his parents, foster parents, four sisters and three brothers. Per his request, there will not be a funeral. A casual visitation will take place on Friday January 11th from 4-8pm at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City with a short military service at 6pm. A celebration of life luncheon for all of those that would like to attend will be held at the home of his son Doug on Saturday January 12th from 1-5pm at 2341 White Pine Drive Kalkaska, MI 49646. In lieu of flowers, Dick wanted all memorials to assist in furthering youth baseball. The family will direct all memorial contributions to the Kalkaska High School Baseball program to aid in the purchase of equipment and new uniforms. Checks can be made out to Richard James/Kalkaska Baseball and be mailed to or dropped off in person to the East Traverse Catholic Federal Credit Union located on Veterans Drive in Traverse City. Their mailing address is ETCFCU PO Box 949, Traverse City, MI 49685-0949. Please sign Dicks’ online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home.

Richard "Dick" Lee James

November 2, 1937 - January 9, 2013