James Grost, M.D.

December 18, 2011

TRAVERSE CITY — James M. "Jim" Grost, M.D., 84, of Traverse City, died at Cherry Hill Haven, Traverse City, on Dec. 18, 2011.Jim was born in Lansing on Oct. 2, 1927, the son of the late Martin and Anna (Fedewa) Grost.He was a graduate of Resurrection High School in Lansing; Michigan State University; and University of Michigan Medical School in 1952. He was a member of the Medical Corps of the United States Army. He married Inge Kuehl on June 23, 1952, in Utica.Jim practiced family medicine serving central Michigan area residents for more than four decades, where he also held several leadership positions in community organizations. While in St. Johns, he was a member of American Medical Association; charter member of Academy of Family Practice; member of Knights of Columbus; member of Parish Council St. Joseph's Catholic Church, St. Johns; member of Rotary International; board member and Chief-of-Staff at Clinton Memorial Hospital; and served on St. Johns City Council. During this time he also enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends at Higgins Lake. He transitioned from his family practice after 40 years to serve for four years as a Medical Director for BlueCross BlueShield of Michigan, and was also a member of American College of Physician Executives.In 1996, he retired to the Traverse City area, where he continued his service with community organizations including: board member on the Commission on Aging; board member for Area Agency on Aging; Inland Seas Association; and Chairman of Pastoral Council at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Mapleton.Jim was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Tom; brother-in-law, Fred Baumgartner; and sister-in-law, Loa Lea Grost.Surviving are his wife of 59 years, Inge (Kuehl); seven children, Kathy (Ron) Sergeant, Mike (Ann) Grost, Lynne (Bob) Frye, Eric (Dee) Grost, Mark Grost, Tim (Colleen) Grost, Karen (Jerry) Taylor. He dearly loved his 16 grandchildren, Nicholas (Amber), George, Mariah, Scott, Joe, Brian, Chloe, Kaitlin, Jimmy, Daniel, Jake, Tim, Jessica, Matthew, Bradley, and Max; and one great-grandchild, Julia Sergeant. Siblings include Jeanette Baumgartner, Maxwell Grost and Marie (Jack) Bower; sisters-in-law, Cora Grost, Elsie (Al) Benson, and Marlit (Ed) Chmiel.In addition to spending time with his family, Jim enjoyed sailing, boating, skiing, and all sports.Visitation will take place this evening, Dec. 20, from 5 to 8 p.m., with a Vigil service to begin at 7:30 p.m., led by Deacon Rene Hoenscheid at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City.A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Traverse City.Memorial contributions may be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, www.lbda.org; Munson Hospice and Palliative Care, www.munson.org; or Father Fred Foundation, www.fatherfred.org.Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family.The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City.