With a profound sense of loss, we announce the passing of James Charles Lawrence, affectionately known as Jimmy to his friends, and simply Jim to those who knew him best. Born on April 16, 1952, in Niles, MI, he passed away on March 31, 2024, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be etched in our hearts. In the words of Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” This quote resonates with the life of James.
A loving, loyal, and resilient man, James was the embodiment of kindness. He was a man of many talents, notably his unforgettable knack for remembering everyone’s birthdays. His resilience was demonstrated in his youthful days when he won several swimming awards through Special Olympics. His love for his family was unsurpassable, and he found joy in the simplicity of life, be it his morning cup of coffee, fishing, watching his favorite Walker Texas Ranger and western shows, or savoring a sweet treat.
James is lovingly remembered by his devoted wife of many years, Kathy Lawrence, and his proud children, Dan (Krystal) Mathias, Michelle (Greg) Green, and Rachel (Donald) Schaffer. He will be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Nicholas, Patrick, Eric, Jessica, Dustin, Joseph, Jade, Alexander, Preston, and Devon. His memory will also live on in his cherished seven great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his parents, Melvin and Efie Lawrence and his five siblings.
A visitation will take place on Friday, April 5th at 11:00 am at Hoven Funeral Home followed by a 12:00 pm service and internment at Mission Hills Memory Gardens in Niles.
As we celebrate the life of James Lawrence, we encourage those whose lives were touched by him to leave their memories and upload photos on his memorial page. In sharing these precious moments, we keep his spirit alive, ensuring that his legacy of love, loyalty, and resilience continues to inspire us all.