James Robert Anthony's Obituary
James Robert Anthony, age 90, passed away on Friday, October 19, 2012, at Spectrum Health Blodgett Campus. He was born on August 7, 1922 in Connersville, Indiana. After finishing school, J.R. was employed by Stant Mfg. Co., Auburn Central and American Steel Kitchens as a welder and later as inspector. He served two summers (1939 & 1940) at Fort Benjamin Harrison, Indianapolis, in the Citizens Military Training Camp (CMTC). During WWII, he worked in the aircraft plant building B-24 Bomber wings. He served in the Civil Air Patrol from 1942 to 1945 where he learned to fly and earned his pilot's license. J.R. was an aviation enthusiast. His hobby was building and flying radio controlled model airplanes and he was a charter member of the Big Rapids Area Modelers Society (BRAMS) In 1954, J.R. went to work for Sears, Roebuck and Co. as a part-time salesman in the Connersville store. After one year, he was promoted to manager, and 6 months later was made District Manager over 14 stores in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. In 1970 he was transferred to Michigan to supervise 41 stores in northern Indiana, Ohio and all of Michigan. The family then resided in Big Rapids for 31 years. J.R. retired from Sears in 1987 after 33 years. In 1988 he went to work for the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Club selling tickets at the box office at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. For several years J.R. made his home between South Pasadena, Florida and Lake Mecosta, Michigan. He has resided at Clark Retirement Community in Grand Rapids, MI for the last 1½ years. J.R. was also known as Bob to many, and was a familiar face at the Mecosta County Agricultural Fair, selling admission to grandstand events for 20 years. J.R. is survived by his very dear friend and companion, Patricia Koutz, three sons; James (Barbara) of Sun City Center, FL, Dennis (Kim) of Kingsport, TN, Mark (Suzanne) of Grand Rapids, MI, and one daughter; Deborah (Larry) Marvel of Lowell, MI, nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Myrtle (Purcell) Anthony, two sisters and one brother. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, October 22, 2012 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Rev. Tim Tuthill officiating. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Walker. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, October 21, 2012 at the funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to DeVos Children's Hospital.
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