James Edward Bovee of Montrose, Michigan passed away on Friday, December 12th, 2025 surrounded by his family at Henry Ford Hospital. He was 86 years old.
Jim was born in his family’s house in Saginaw on July 14th, 1939 and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1957. Then, he began a 40-year career at General Motors working his way up to the reliability lab and CMM operation all while staying very active in the UAW.
Jim’s biggest passion was his family. In his youth, he enjoyed his summers on his grandparents’ cherry orchard in Benzie County where he would work in the orchard and swim in Crystal Lake, an activity he continued to enjoy through his entire life and shared with his grandchildren.
His first daughter, Suzanne, was born in 1965 followed by Bonnie in 1967. In 1978, he moved himself and his daughters to their farm in Montrose where he had recently built his house. There, Jim enjoyed snowmobiling with his daughters, raising chickens, gardening, clearing brush, and playing with his dogs. When his daughters graduated high school, Jim put in extra hours to put them through college.
In 1995 and 1997, Jim’s grandchildren, Margaret and William, were born respectively. After that, he proudly introduced himself as “Grandpa” to any new person he met. He was always an active grandfather. He enjoyed playing games with his grandchildren, taking them for rides on his tractors, and playing the banjo for them.
Jim had a strong love for animals. On several occasions, he would nurse injured Mourning Doves back to health before releasing them back into the wild. He also took in his grandchildren's kindergarten class chickens after they hatched and let them live out their full lives on his farm even though they were all roosters.
Jim had a special affinity for Dachshunds in particular. Having 3 in his life either of his own or shared between himself and his family. He would often remark, “They are about the best little dog you can get.” and in his later years, it was rare to find him without his Dachshund, Archie on his lap.
Later in life, Jim enjoyed wandering the lots looking at new tractors and pickup trucks. Tending to the brush on his farm, going for long drives in the country or to Benzie County, and spending time with his family. He never missed a birthday, holiday, or graduation and would often speak proudly of his grandchildren who cherished him greatly.
Jim is preceded in death by his mother and father, Lucile and Albert Bovee, and his brother, Charles Bovee. He is survived by his beloved Dachshund, Archibald; daughters, Suzanne (David) Reid and Bonnie (Nicholas) Andrews; grandchildren, Margaret (Aaron) Regner and William (Kelly Anne) Reid; sister, Mary Bovee; great-granddaughter, Emmeline Regner; and step-grandchildren Steven Andrews and Thomas Andrews.
A small gathering will be held graveside at Eastlawn Memorial Gardens in Saginaw for his family and loved ones.
Read More
