James Ray Plank

James Ray Plank, 80, passed away early on Wednesday, December 18 from complications of a stroke. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Rae Plank; his youngest brother, Steven Plank; and his nephew, Mark Dulz. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Plank; sons, Christopher and Colin (Lisa) Plank; sister, Leslie (John) Morrison; brother, Patrick Plank (Brad McCoy); sister in law, Margaret Dulz; nieces, Jennifer (Bob) Simpson, Stacy (Roger) Carroll, Robin Cohoe, Kate (Ben) Maycroft, Carly (wife, Kendra) Parker-Plank, Donna (Anthony) Corrado; and nephews, Frank Vick, James (Kelly) Dulz, and Jacob Plank. Jim had four grandchildren that he loved very much, Elizabeth, Briggs, Adelaide, and Jenson Plank. One of his great joys was surprising them with gifts whenever they visited.

Jim enjoyed aviation, cars, history, and his family. He earned his private pilot's license with a glider rating at Benz Aviation in Ionia Michigan and airplane single engine rating at Sparta Aviation Flight Training in Sparta Michigan. He loved MG sports cars and shared that interest with his sons. He drove and maintained his 1952 MG TD and restored a 1971 MGB and 1961 MGA with them. He was an avid reader, checking out piles of books from the Grand Rapids Public Library, and a skilled hobbyist with a love of model airplanes, trains, and all things military. He built a fleet of airplanes made of balsa wood and tissue all specially balanced and trimmed to actually fly. His love of metal toy soldiers (casting, painting, and collecting) resulted in a gravitational anomaly that can be detected from space. Jim was passionate about researching and then learning about history through his model work and he loved sharing that with others.

Jim was a teacher in the Grand Rapids Public School System for 45 years, teaching english, computers, and later science electives that allowed him to share his love of model making with generations of kids at West and Westwood Middle School.

Above all Jim was a devoted husband and father that would do anything for his family. He was a strong role model for his sons, teaching them the satisfaction of figuring out complex problems and plans, the joys of using of their imaginations and being creative, and the quiet intensity required truly master anything they set themselves to.

Visitations will take place at Reyers North Valley Chapel, 2815 Fuller Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI, Friday, December 27 from 11:00am to 12:00pm. Visitation will be followed immediately by a memorial service at 12:00 and a light luncheon.

Body at rest, spirit free.