James LaVerne Jorgensen, 71, of Traverse City and formerly of Northport, passed away Saturday, April 27 at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital in Frankfort.

Jim was born on Tuesday, December 23, 1941 to the late LaVerne B. and Jeanette F. (Rademaker) in Manistee. He married Patricia M. Spaulding on Saturday, November 3, 1962 in Traverse City.

A mechanical engineer, Jim had been employed by General Motors and American Axle and later had been employed by Kal Excavating. Jim also owned, in partnership, small businesses in Leelanau County, specifically Ted's Standard Service in Lake Leelanau and TAPCO in Northport. He enjoyed stamp collecting, was a collector of die cast cars and trucks, and enjoyed wood crafting, as well as watching sports on television, especially the Lions, Tigers and college sports. For many years, he would spend his Saturday mornings playing cribbage with his brother, Jack. Jim enjoyed maintaining his yard, and was proud that it was one of the best in the neighborhood. When his health no longer permitted it, his nephew Jayson continued the task, but Jim was actively involved in supervising the job. Over everything, his family was most important to him.

Jim is survived by his wife Patricia; his children and grandchildren, James T. (Jennifer) Jorgensen of Lakewood, WA, and their children, Elise P. Jorgensen, Andy Kissler, Brad Kissler and Brad's son Silas James, Diane M. (Patrick Standish) Jorgensen of Ridgeland, S. C., Anjanette (Timothy) Olander and their children Jackson and Sophie-Grace of Hilton Head, S.C., Jaclyn E. Jorgensen of Traverse City; sister, Joyce (Ron) O'Hagan of Manistee, brother Jack R. Jorgensen of Traverse City; an aunt, Margie Jorgensen of Manistee, brother in law Jay W. (Lorrene) Spaulding of West Branch, as well as his nieces and nephews, Tim, Terry, Patrick, Suzi, Kevin, Jennifer and Jayson. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son James Scott Jorgensen and a number of aunts and uncles, including Margaret and Tom Holmberg with whom Jim lived during his college years at General Motors Institute.

A visitation for Jim will take place Tuesday, April 30 from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City. Jim's memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, also at the funeral home with the Rev. James Petteys officiating. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens at a later date.

For a more lasting memorial, contributions in Jim's name may be directed to the American Kidney Foundation, The Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital Foundation c/o Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation or to the Cherryland Humane Society.

Please share your favorite memory or story of Jim with his family by way of his online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .