James McLean
September 23rd, 1926 to September 23rd, 2014
James McLean Jr., 88, of Port Huron, died Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at home after a long illness surrounded by his loving family.
He was born September 23, 1926 in Detroit to the late James and Isabel McLean. He married Betty J. Friar on June 18, 1949 in Detroit. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June.
A graduate of Cooley High School in Detroit, Jim attended Lawrence Institute of Technology. An industrial engineer specializing in designing equipment for the automotive industry, he worked for various manufacturing companies in Detroit. He retired after 30 years with Gallagher-Kaiser Corp. He and Betty moved to Port Huron in 1999.
An adventurous, inquisitive and loving soul, Jim loved nothing better than being with his family and never tired of talking with and listening to people. A “hobo” at heart, he enjoyed traveling by train, watching freighters and driving along the “blue highways.” He, Betty and their five children traveled extensively throughout the country. He and Betty also enjoyed their trips to Scotland, Europe, Canada and Mexico.
A lifelong Presbyterian, Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Huron, where he had served as an Elder. He was a member of the Blue Water Shrine Club and the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge No. 542. He took great pride and enjoyment in the more than 400 trips he made driving children to Shriner’s hospitals in Chicago, Cincinnati and Erie, Pa. - journeys that were taken over a 19-year period.
A curler, Jim was a member of the Detroit and Sarnia Curling Clubs. He also enjoyed playing golf.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters, Judith McLean, Bonnie (Stephen) Richards, Sandra (Samuel) Wylie and Deborah (Dennis) Basierbe; seven grandchildren, Megan and Erin Richards, Stephanie (John) Auger, Kimberly (David) Domanski, Shannon (Keith) Pedery, Bryan Wylie and Ian McLean; three step-grandchildren, Oscar Asis Jr., Jennifer Vote and Philip Basierbe; five great-grandchildren, Victoria, Thomas and Patrick Auger and Xander and Mason Pedery; five step-great-grandchildren, Jeremiah and Oscar Asis III, Carly and Quinn Vote and Chamberlain Basierbe; sister, Joan Schwartz; daughter-in-law, Gloria McLean Casias; and six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons, James III and Kevin; and his brother, John.
Visitation will be 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. Thursday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. A Shrine service will be at 6:45 p.m. followed by a Masonic service at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2014 in First Presbyterian Church with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. The Reverend Jason Pittman will officiate.
Burial will be in Acacia Park Cemetery, Beverly Hills, Michigan. Pallbearers will be Stephen Richards, Samuel Wylie, Dennis Basierbe, Bryan Wylie, John Auger and Keith Pedery.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, the Shriners Child Care Transportation Fund or Blue Water Hospice.
He was born September 23, 1926 in Detroit to the late James and Isabel McLean. He married Betty J. Friar on June 18, 1949 in Detroit. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June.
A graduate of Cooley High School in Detroit, Jim attended Lawrence Institute of Technology. An industrial engineer specializing in designing equipment for the automotive industry, he worked for various manufacturing companies in Detroit. He retired after 30 years with Gallagher-Kaiser Corp. He and Betty moved to Port Huron in 1999.
An adventurous, inquisitive and loving soul, Jim loved nothing better than being with his family and never tired of talking with and listening to people. A “hobo” at heart, he enjoyed traveling by train, watching freighters and driving along the “blue highways.” He, Betty and their five children traveled extensively throughout the country. He and Betty also enjoyed their trips to Scotland, Europe, Canada and Mexico.
A lifelong Presbyterian, Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Port Huron, where he had served as an Elder. He was a member of the Blue Water Shrine Club and the Olive Branch Masonic Lodge No. 542. He took great pride and enjoyment in the more than 400 trips he made driving children to Shriner’s hospitals in Chicago, Cincinnati and Erie, Pa. - journeys that were taken over a 19-year period.
A curler, Jim was a member of the Detroit and Sarnia Curling Clubs. He also enjoyed playing golf.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; daughters, Judith McLean, Bonnie (Stephen) Richards, Sandra (Samuel) Wylie and Deborah (Dennis) Basierbe; seven grandchildren, Megan and Erin Richards, Stephanie (John) Auger, Kimberly (David) Domanski, Shannon (Keith) Pedery, Bryan Wylie and Ian McLean; three step-grandchildren, Oscar Asis Jr., Jennifer Vote and Philip Basierbe; five great-grandchildren, Victoria, Thomas and Patrick Auger and Xander and Mason Pedery; five step-great-grandchildren, Jeremiah and Oscar Asis III, Carly and Quinn Vote and Chamberlain Basierbe; sister, Joan Schwartz; daughter-in-law, Gloria McLean Casias; and six nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sons, James III and Kevin; and his brother, John.
Visitation will be 2-4 & 6-9 p.m. Thursday in Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. A Shrine service will be at 6:45 p.m. followed by a Masonic service at 7 p.m.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 26, 2014 in First Presbyterian Church with visitation beginning at 10 a.m. The Reverend Jason Pittman will officiate.
Burial will be in Acacia Park Cemetery, Beverly Hills, Michigan. Pallbearers will be Stephen Richards, Samuel Wylie, Dennis Basierbe, Bryan Wylie, John Auger and Keith Pedery.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, the Shriners Child Care Transportation Fund or Blue Water Hospice.
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