James H Tibedeau

James Harley Tibedeau, 94, of Fort Gratiot, passed away on Sunday, January 5, 2020 and rejoined his beloved wife, Sue.

He was born August 2, 1925 in Toledo, Ohio to the late Berley and Hazel Tibedeau. He married Lucille Anne “Sue” Schultz on August 30, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan at the Calvin Presbyterian Church. They enjoyed 47 years of happiness together before her passing on October 13, 1994.

James was raised in the Brightmoor area of Detroit and attended Harding Grade School and Redford High School. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps, and attended the University of Indiana under the Army Specialized Training Program until Congress disbanded the program. James received Infantry Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia and was assigned to the 20th Armored Division in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He volunteered for the Airborne, received jump training at Fort Benning and was shipped overseas and assigned to the 508th Parachute Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, and participated in the Battle of the Bulge during WWII. Postwar, James served in the Honor Guard Regiment at General Eisenhower’s headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

After an honorable discharge, James married Sue, graduated from Lawrence Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering. James and Sue settled in Redford Township, Michigan, and started their family. He was employed in various Detroit architectural firms for 10 years before accepting a position with the local architectural firm of Wyeth and Harman, established their 50 plus years homestead in Fort Gratiot, raised their family and enjoyed complete happiness until Sue’s passing. The firm eventually evolved into Tibedeau & Wedge Architects before closing in 1990.

Jim was a 50 plus year member and deacon at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Huron, member of American Institute of Architects, Port Huron Rotary, Salvation Army Advisory Board, Fort Gratiot Planning Commission & Board of Appeals, Elks lodge #343 and Village of Lake Huron Senior Housing Advisory Board. He loved golf, bowling, cards, baseball, reading, woodworking, repairing his trusty tractor, traveling and watching T.V.

Jim is survived by his children, Sharon Tibedeau, Vicki (Ken) Gusler, Craig (Jackie) Tibedeau; grandson, Mike (Andrea) Tibedeau; granddaughter, Jody (Bart) Schott; great grandson, Chase Webb; sister-in-law, Nancy Hutchinson; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Berley (Marge) Tibedeau; sister, Louise (Harry) Steinhurst; and nephew, Jim Steinhurst.

Private family graveside services will be held in Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fort Gratiot.

Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements are by Pollock-Randall Funeral Home. To send condolences, visit pollockrandall.com