James Duthie McWatt

James Duthie McWatt, Age 87, a resident of Henry Ford Village in Dearborn, and former resident of Grosse Pointe and Macomb County, died February 20, 2014. Jim was born in Detroit on January 18, 1927, the fourth child of Robert and Margaret Duthie McWatt. He graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1945 and was drafted into the US army. When he finished basic training he became a member of the US army of occupation in Germany. He was one of the last soldiers to be granted a furlough and used the time to travel to Scotland to meet relatives from his mother?s and father?s families. After being honorably discharged in 1946, Jim enrolled at Wayne State University. While studying to become a teacher, he taught Sunday school at Calvin Presbyterian Church and was introduced to Anne June Gordon. Jim and June were married September 1, 1950, and Jim began teaching Social Studies at Mason Elementary School in Detroit. He earned a Master?s Degree in Education at Wayne State University and a Master of Social Work at the University of Michigan. In 1969, he became a School Social Worker with L?Anse Creuse Public Schools where he worked with the new Special Education department to develop improved programs for children with special needs. Jim was involved in Grosse Pointe Little League throughout the 70's. He retired from the public education system in 1986, telling people he was going to ?do social work without paper work.? He was involved with multiple social service and humanitarian organizations working to improve this world including Veterans for Peace, the Presbytery of Detroit Peace Committee, People Making a Difference (volunteers who entertained at nursing homes), and the Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers. Jim was also an active member of Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. He lived his faith through his work and his volunteer efforts. He participated in the Civil Rights movement and heard Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak in Detroit in 1963 and in Grosse Pointe in 1968. He marched against the Vietnam War, in support of women?s rights, and supported LGBT rights. Jim and June raised 4 children in St. Clair Shores and Grosse Pointe Farms. He is survived by his beloved wife, June; his loving children, Catherine (Bruce Robb), Lorna (Craig Tarbeck), Jerilyn (J. John) Jurewicz, and Gordon; his 6 cherished grandchildren, Jillian Robb, Gordon and Jack Tarbeck, Nichole (Ray) Nowicki, and James and Joseph McWatt; and his 2 dear great-grandsons, Max and R.J. Nowicki. He is also survived by his sister, Jessie (the late Pel) Petroni, his brother Albert (Elaine) McWatt, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Elizabeth (the late Erich) Paulick and his brother George (Ruth) McWatt. In order to allow Jim's many outstate friends and family to attend, a memorial service will be held Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church, 16 Lake Shore Dr, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236. Donations may be made in Jim?s memory to Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers, 8075 Ritter, Center Line, MI 48015 or to Grosse Pointe Memorial Church. Please share a memory with the family at http://www.howepeterson.com.