James Lossing

James Lee Lossing

Battle Creek

James Lee Lossing, 81, of Battle Creek, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at Bronson Battle Creek.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at 11:00 A.M. at Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation, located 3 miles east of M-66 on M-60, in Union City. Pastor Marvin Savola of North Athens Baptist Church will officiate and interment will follow at Congregational Cemetery in Leroy Township. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 6, 2015 at the Lighthouse from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and again on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. at the funeral home.

Jim was born on June 7, 1933 in Leroy Township, Michigan to Donald T. and Dorothy I. (Avery) Lossing. He attended Athens High School, class of 1951, and entered the U.S. Navy in 1952. After boot camp, he returned home to marry his sweetheart, Miss Opal I. Dunithan on May 6, 1952. He served honorably, toured the Mediterranean and the Caribbean Seas, and was discharged in 1956.

Mr. Lossing began his working career at the trailer factory in Union City known as Duo-Coach and later Bendix. After 20 years at Bendix, he landed a job with the Harper Creek Schools as a custodian. He worked his way up over a 20 year span and retired as a maintenance person, who also took care of the pool. Jim lived in the Leroy Township area his entire life and has resided at Graham Lake for the past 58 years.

Jim loved wildlife and enjoyed feeding the deer and birds around his home. Fishing was his favorite pastime and he could often be found at Vincent Lake in Tekonsha or at Fletcher's Pond near Alpena, MI. He was wonderful husband, who was well loved by his family that was so important to him. He was quite a jokester and never met a stranger. He enjoyed snapping photographs and usually had a camera close by. He will be forever missed by those that he leaves behind.

Mr. Lossing is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Opal; his daughters Diane "Dee" (Dave Roberts) Passmore of Union City and Debbie (Jerry) Qualls of Athens; his brother Dr. Thomas Lossing of Lompoc, CA; his grandchildren Jamie (Tom) Bishop of Sherwood, Jeff (Amber) Qualls of Coldwater, James Qualls of Battle Creek; his five great-grandchildren Kassidy and Zac Bishop of Sherwood, and Adyson, Avrey and Aubry Qualls of Coldwater; his special daughter Marilyn (LaVern) Suntken of Olivet; and his special grandson Parker Munoz of Battle Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Howard Lossing.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Humane Society of Calhoun County. Casual attire has been requested by the family when you attend Jim's services. Please visit www.lighthousefuneral.com to share memories, pictures and videos with the family.