Beloved husband of Elizabeth. Former husband of the late Wanda.
Dear father of Melissa (Vern) Harp, James (Alice) Barta, John Barta, Alex Barta.
Loving grandfather of Nicholas (Amiee) Christensen, Michael (Karen) Christensen, Jared Christensen.
Great grandfather of Miles, Aurora, Sloan, Casey, Scarlett.
Brother of the late Stephen Barta, Angela (the late Frank) Schiavulli, the late Anne (the late John) Tulak.
James graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1943 and enlisted in the Army Air Corps.
Jim was honorably discharged in November of 1945; his final rank was Second Lieutenant. Jim was part of an eight-man crew as a navigator on the Boeing B-17. After his discharge, he entered the Reserves at Selfridge Air Force Base.
After serving in the military, Jim attended Wayne University in Detroit and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He worked as an engineer at Chrysler for a few years before starting his career at Vickers which specialized in hydraulic pumps and motors, Jim worked at Vickers for 38 years in various engineering positions before retiring as Industrial Service Manager for the U.S.
Jim took pleasure in boating and fishing and was a member of the Detroit Powers Squadron for several years. He was the Education Officer and taught navigation, specifically Celestial Navigation.
Jim and Liz spent many years in various Square Dance groups and later moved on to Country Western Dancing.
He enjoyed hunting and target shooting and regularly went to shoot rounds of skeet and sporting clays with friends. Additional activities that filled his retirement days were bowling, and golf with the family and friends.
Even at the age of 94 he still maintained his cognitive abilities by playing cards, doing crossword puzzles and even trying to learn the latest version of Windows.
Visitation will be held on Friday November 15, 2019 from 3:00 - 8:00 p.m., with funeral services on Saturday November 16, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home 30351 Dequindre Road Madison Heights, MI. 48071.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak 529 Hendrie Blvd. Royal Oak, MI. 48067.
