James John Aitken's Obituary
James John Aitken
James (Jim) Aitken of Canadian Lakes died peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Woodland Hospice in Mt. Pleasant, MI on February 19th. Born April 19, 1940, Jim grew up in Eaton Rapids, MI where he was the oldest of four children. An avid athlete in high school he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He joined the Army ROTC at MSU and became the president of the Army ROTC honorary Scabbard and Blade. He paid his way through college by working summers and weekend nights at his uncle’s grain storage company in Eaton Rapids. After graduating with honors in Accounting from MSU, and marrying his hometown sweetheart, Sandy Hansen, he joined the U.S. Army and served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Finance Corp in San Antonio, Texas, during the early years of the Vietnam War. He was then promoted to Captain in the Army Reserves. Jim went on to become a CPA, certified for over 40 years, and eventually became a partner with Ernst and Ernst (Ernst and Young) where he worked for 20 years. One of his favorite clients was the Detroit Tigers.
Jim started teaching accounting at Central Michigan University part time in the early 80’s. He loved teaching and eventually began teaching full time at CMU. He was gleefully meticulous about lesson planning and making a positive impact on his students’ learning. Often referring to himself as “Uncle Jim” to his students, he took pride in being tough but fair and was ultimately a popular, well-liked professor. Jim continued to teach at CMU through last fall when he became ill.
Aside from being in the classroom, editing accounting textbooks for publishing companies, playing hearts, doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku, Jim was happiest in his car, cruising the countryside and discovering new ways to get from one place to another, and checking out local American Legion posts along the way. He also loved golf, motorcycle trips, gourmet food, and the water; being near water was a lifelong priority for him, giving him a sense of peace and happiness.
He is survived by his three daughters, Susan (Ann Arbor, MI), Jeanie (Aptos, CA) and Mary (Ludington, MI), 5 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild, brother Robert (Bob) Aitken and sister Patricia (Patsy) Banfield, and his dear friend and companion for the past several years, Marilyn West of Canadian Lakes. Jim and Marilyn spent the last several years enjoying Florida together in the winters and Michigan the rest of the year. He is also survived by his Pappy’s family, who he loved and appreciated dearly for over twenty five years.
Funeral services will be held on April 20th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church in Remus, MI with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. An open house/luncheon and celebration of Jim’s life will follow at Pappy’s on M-20 in Rodney, MI. Donations can be made in Jim’s name to the following: CMU School of Accounting Scholarship Fund or to American Legion Post 98. Make checks out to CMU School of Accounting with reference to Jim Aitken in the memo line. Send to CMU College of Business, 150 E. Bellows Street, ABSC 250-Grawn Hall, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859. OR checks can be made out to American Legion Post 98 (with reference to “Big Jim” Aitken in the memo line.) Send to American Legion Post 98, 320 S. 4th Street, Big Rapids, MI 49307.
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