James Alexander McLaren, 75, of Traverse City passed away peacefully on April 14, 2026.

Jim was born to the late Albert James and Mary Lorraine (Bozeman) McLaren. He grew up in Bloomfield Hills and graduated from Lahser Hills High School in 1968.

After school, Jim spent many happy years in Breckenridge, Colorado where he was an accomplished skier. It was here, as a National Ski Patrol EMT, it became clear he had a gift for managing crisis situations and helping people.

The majority of Jim’s working life, however, was spent at Delta Airlines where he served in many operational roles. Recognized for his stalwartness in the face of emergencies and his ability to courageously engage in traumatic events in a way that left others feeling cared for, comforted, and seen, he was sent to Nova Scotia to help the families of the 1998 Swissair crash victims. He retired in 2020 and moved to Northern Michigan.

He loved to spend time in the great outdoors, especially on his Harley along the highways of Leelanau County. He was proud to be an American; was a devoted fan of the Denver Broncos and enjoyed being a member of the Elks.

Jim was an avid reader and had a brilliant, wisdom-filled mind. And as humor is often the mark of genius, it must be mentioned that Jim had a highly developed and lightning-quick sense of humor, which he also bestowed on his three children, along with an uncanny sense of direction.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Timothy McLaren and Susan (John) Dieffenwierth.

He will be remembered with love by his children Jesse, Christopher and Amanda; grandchildren Wyatt, Ivan, Harrison and Fiona; sisters Jean (John Nitschke) McLaren and Elizabeth (Michael) Parsons; and Claudia (John) Lainson, the mother of his children and a cherished friend.

The family will celebrate his life privately at a later date. Memorial contributions in his honor may be directed to the Leelanau Conservancy.