James Henry Place's Obituary
Big Rapids - James Henry Place, age 89, of Big Rapids passed away Wednesday, October 4, 2017. Loving husband, father, and grandfather, he was born in Alma, the son of Clarence and Sarah (McGillis) Place on July 20, 1928. Jim graduated from Alma High School in 1946. Following high school, he joined the Army as a US Paratrooper. He served two years in occupied Japan, as a Staff Sargent. Following his Army service, he attended Ferris Institute and joined the football team. He was a four-year letter man and Captain of the 1952 team, playing guard and linebacker. He graduated in 1953. After graduation, he joined Universal Electric Company in Owosso, MI as an accountant, and later helped establish a new factory in Altavista, Virginia. In 1954, he met and married the former Ina Beattie from Owosso, MI. Together they would raise four children. From 1968 to 1977, Jim served as Vice President of The Roary Corporation in Lansing, MI. He later purchased R. L. Rider Co. in Lansing. He sold the business in 1983 and retired to northern Michigan to sell real estate with McClure Realty In his spare time, Jim enjoyed pheasant hunting in South Dakota, fishing in Lake Michigan, duck hunting, deer hunting and playing golf. He also enjoyed crossword puzzles and belonged to a euchre club for 27 years. Over the last several decades, Jim had been one of Ferris' most loyal supporters and sports fans. You could see him at almost every football game. He enjoyed managing the "out of town tailgates" and cooking hot dogs for Ferris football team events. In 2004, he was inducted into the FSU Athletic Hall of Fame. At various times, he served as a member of the Hall of Fame Committee, Gridiron Club Committee and President's Club. He loved working with stained glass and donated approximately 45 stained glass bulldog logos to Friends of Ferris, Ferris golf outings, and other Ferris sports auctions, raising money for Ferris Athletics. Jim is survived by daughters Marcia (Richard) Burkart of Tallahassee, FL, Terry Jo (Brian) Courtade of Grandville, MI, Nancy Place of Alta Monte Springs, FL, and son Michael (Deborah) Place of Bensonville, IL; and grandchildren Alex and Andi Courtade. Also surviving are sister Naomi Potter of Shepherd, MI, and brother Rod (Barb Farris) Place of Lawton, MI; brothers-in-law James (Helen) Beattie of Owosso; Howard (Kathleen) Beattie of Fairfield, VA, sisters-in-law Betty (Glen) Andrews of Sanford, FL, Sally Hunt of Corunna, MI, Susie Daley of Owosso, MI, Marian Beattie of Saginaw, MI, Nancy Beattie of Owosso; plus, many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Ina; sister-in-law Mary Hendry; brothers-in-law Robert Beattie, Richard Beattie, Robert Hunt and Merrill Potter; and nephew Dean Hendry. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at the Mohnke Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Jim's family will greet friends from 10-11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ferris State University Foundation.
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