James Robert McVettie

A young lady, Phyllis, caught his eye at a diner and they spent time roller skating and fell in love and in a borrowed suit, and fancy dress they eloped and celebrated over 64 years of marriage. They had four children Carolyn, Kathleen (Tim), Keith (Linda) and Jacqueline (Christian). Adding to their family further – grandchildren James Timothy (Ashley), Jessica (Paul), Katelyn (Kyle), Nicholas (Michelle), Devon (Gemma), Alexandria (Michael) and Isabella. Later the family would be blessed with 13 great grandchildren.

In early years, Jim was quite the scholar. He earned the highest scholar award from Northwestern HS. After a time with ROTC, he served his country in the Naval reserves. The young couple found a home in Warren and made a family with the Gunston Crew. Endless fun with a group of friends that were considered family even today. Jim formed his own beer delivery route, buying cases of beer and making deliveries to each of the neighbor’s homes. Vacations and steak outs that included midnight dips, parties at the KW Ranch and New Year’s Eve parties led to a lifetime of memories and friends that were family.

Always a lover of sports he spent countless years playing hockey, bowling and his truest love – baseball. His stories of playing hockey in the coldest weather with a broken nose, just to win the championship became stories we all grew to love. He earned a 300 game in bowling and also showed up with a 700 series too. He continued to bowl three times a week until the age of 89. Nicknamed Fast Jimmy - he loved to play baseball – he went on to play until the age of 84. Traveling across the United States, Jim participated in the Seniors World Series multiple times winning it once.

But sports were not all he loved; Jim was quite the dancer. As a young married couple, they took dancing lessons from Arthur Murray. Their love of swing music and parties left us all with many memories of two steps, swing dancing and the love of great music. After Phyllis died, Jim found his way to a special group of friends and his special friend Nancy Courtney where he went on to dance every Tuesday until the age of 90.

A proud union member until the end of his life – Jim belonged to Sheet Metal Local 80. He served as a member of the e-board, Insurance board, and Business (“bidness”) agent, President of the Retirees as well as a layout man. He retired in 1992 but remained and active-proud member.

After retirement Jim got to really enjoy his grandchildren and later his great grandchildren when he became Big Pappa to all of them. He lent his advice on life, offered stories and support, and especially gave his love to them all.

And there were many opportunities to celebrate family. Sunday dinners with anything but chicken, poker nights with change on the floor for the sweeper, birthdays and holidays always with chocolate cake, and crowding together in his home to celebrate just being together. Life was good.

Predeceased by his wife, Phyllis, of over 64 years and his daughter Carolyn, Jim is survived by his remaining family and a lifetime of memories and the honor of living a good life.

A Visitation for James will be held Tuesday, February 11, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM at D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road, Warren, MI 48093. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 10:30 AM at D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to the Michigan Humane Society, 30300 Telegraph Rd, Ste 220. Bingham Farms, MI 48025.