- Date Of Birth: April 22, 1941
- Date Of Death: January 24, 2016
- State: Michigan
Leonard E. McJames, age 74 of Sanford, went to be with his Lord on Sunday morning January 24, 2016 at his residence. He was the first born of the late Leonard S. and Norma L. (Bergey) McJames on April 22, 1941 in Wise Township. Leonard worked 6 years in general construction. He then went on to work for The Dow Chemical Company in Security & Emergency Services in January of 1967. At Dow Chemical, Leonard started as a patrolman and moved through the various positions, becoming a Captain in 1974, Shift Superintendent in 1976, Operations Superintendent from 1980 until his retirement on July 31, 1996 after 30 years of service. While at Dow, Leonard worked on many Safety Teams, including Emergency Preparedness, Traffic Safety, Leadership for Emergency Personnel, Contractor and Dow Rule Book Teams to name a few.
Leonard was honored as the first and only Security person in Dow Chemical to be named a “Security Associate” in recognition of long term dedication, leadership, people skills and professionalism in the way he represented himself, his employees and his employer. He received the Dow President’s Award for his leadership of the Security Emergency Personnel at the Freeland Train Wreck in 1989. After Leonard’s retirement, he went on to work as a part-time instructor for Great Lakes Safety Institute for 11 years.
Leonard played baseball and softball for over 60 years. He even went and tried out for the Detroit Tigers in 1965. Leonard loved hunting (especially deer hunting) and fishing. After his retirement, he took up golf, which he played at least 5 days a week with many different friends from the months of April through October (or later in the year if the weather permitted.) He was an avid Meridian sports fan and regularly attended football, basketball and baseball games with his wife, Lois. Leonard and Lois were honored two years ago at a Meridian/Clare basketball game with lifetime passes and bleacher seats for faithfully going to games especially basketball games for over 35 years. Leonard also loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Leonard was an active member of Sanford United Methodist Church since 1967. Leonard was very quick-witted and could always be counted on for a funny comment. When outdoor activities were not an option, Leonard could be found in his favorite recliner, either watching a sporting event or a Western or doing the crossword puzzle. He was a lifelong Tigers fan and rarely missed listening to or watching a game.
Surviving is his loving wife of 52 years, the former Lois M. Presley, whom he married on August 10, 1963, at the Clare United Methodist Church; daughters, Angela (Tony) Chritz of Midland, Amy (Fred) McNett of Sanford, Jennifer (Jon) Butzin of Sanford; grandchildren, Cassidy McJames and fiancé Alan VanNortwick, Meredith McNett, Olivia Chritz, Breanna Chritz, Rebecca McNett, Alyssa Chritz, Benjamin McNett, Carter Butzin; siblings, Gerald “Jake” (Jane) McJames of Clare, Glenn (Bertha) McJames of Lansing, Florence (William) Merillat of Sanford, Ellouise (Jeff Johnston) Herkel of Clare, Marilyn (Mark) Bassage of Sanford, Carla (Mike) Jones of Sanford; in-laws: Judy Sitler of Belmont, Jacqueline and Jack Robert of Clare and Larry Presley of Mt. Pleasant; many nieces and nephews and cousins.
