It was on March 27, 2024 that James McNutt passed away. The 28th of January, 1935 found Jim being born in Lansing, Michigan. 1953 was the year that he received his diploma from Rodney Wilson High School in St. Johns, Michigan. He participated in football and was a member of the team that won the state championship and was subsequently inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University (MSU) in 1957, and he went on to earn a Master of Science degree in the same field shortly after that.
Belonging to the Michigan State University Alumni Association for his entire life, he was a devoted fan of the Spartans (Go Green!). He had a passion for singing, and he would frequently regale his family with renditions of songs such as the Spartan Fight Song, Middle Tennessee State Shadows, and his favorite country music songs. By spending the summers at their cottage on Grand Lake, Jim, Mary Jane, and their family were able to create memories that will be cherished forever.
He was the captain of the durable green and white pontoon boat known as the USS Mildred, which was named after a much-loved aunt. In addition to fishing, tubing, and taking passengers on sunset cruises, he racked up a significant number of nautical miles.
While the family gathered around the campfire, Jim would regale them with humorous tales about the experiences and adventures he had had throughout his life. In addition to that, he attempted to sail the smaller sailboats that were available at the lake; on occasion, the USS Mildred was used as a rescue vessel.
His favorite sports teams were the Detroit Tigers and Lions, but he cheered for all of the Michigan sports teams, including the University of Michigan Wolverines, which were his archrivals. Mary Jane insisted that they stay in the game until the final batter of the ninth inning, despite the fact that he detested watching the Tigers struggle and would have liked to turn off the game.
Jim is survived by his daughters Laura (Dale) Foster of Midland, Karen (Anthony) Flores of Lansing, Kathleen (Barry) of Palo Alto California; his Granddaughters, Sara Gottler of Midland; Mary Elizabeth and Hope Ann Flores of Encinitas California; Iris and Theresa Hart of Palo Alto California; his Great Grandsons Emmet and Aidan Gottler of Midland; and his Sister in Law Millie Wassa of St. Johns . His siblings Wilbur and Robert McNutt, as well as his sister Lucille Rendel, passed away before Jim. His parents, Wilbur and Idella McNutt, were also among those who passed away before him.
On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at eleven o’clock in the morning, the Funeral Liturgy for Jim will be held at St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church, with Father Andy Booms serving as the celebrant. Immediately prior to the funeral mass, Jim’s family will be present at St. Brigid Catholic Church to greet friends and family from ten in the morning until eleven in the morning. It is requested that those who are contemplating expressing their condolences take into consideration the St. Brigid Catholic Church or School.
