James Gordon Arft

James Gordon Arft passed away on December 13, 2014, at the age of 78. Jim was born in Pontiac, Mich., on February 18, 1936, to Clarence and Carmen (Hathaway) Arft. He attended Lutheran Grade School and Lincoln High in Royal Oak, Mich., then moved to Britton and graduated from Britton-Macon High School in 1955. He joined the Army the next fall and was stationed in Ft. Chaffee, Ariz., and Ft. Campbell, Ky. He married Karen Herford on May 19, 1956, and they had four children: Kathy, Jim, John and Jack and four grandchildren, Alexander, Andrew, Lillian and Meredith Arft. Jim was predeceased by his son John, son Jim, a granddaughter, Simone, his father and mother, and brother, Clarence Jr. He is survived by his sister and husband, Maxine and Bill Rodgers. His work career started during high school working for Meadow Ridge Dairy in Ridgeway. After the Army, he worked for Dundee Products for 10 years and at Chrysler Proving Grounds for 30 years. During those years, he also worked part time for Exelby Garage and the Britton Police Department. Jim loved fishing and traveling on their boat on Lake Erie and was in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 10 years. Jim taught trailering in the Auxiliary Safe Boating classes and also earned his Captain’s license. He enjoyed traveling in their fifth wheel, having visited all but five of the states and all but one of the Canadian provinces. They also visited 36 foreign countries, enjoying the scenery, learning about the different life styles and their foods. Jim retired from Chrysler in 1997 and started spending winters in Florida, first at Wilhelm Mobile Home Park, then Palma Sola Shores Park in Bradenton, where he served on the Board of Directors for many years. Jim was a member of the Britton American Legion. Burial will be in Ridgeway Cemetery. A Memorial will be held in the spring when family and friends return from Florida. A Memorial will also be held at Palma Sola Shores after the holidays. All Memorial contributions will be sent to Hospice of Lenawee. Arrangements were made by J. Gilbert Purse Funeral Home, Tecumseh, Michigan. Condolences may be made to the family online at www.pursefuneralhome.com.

Tecumseh Herald

 

110 E. Logan St.
P.O. Box 218
Tecumseh, MI 49286
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