James B. Feiten

Birmingham - James Bernard Feiten of Birmingham, MI was born to Evelyn Feiten (Brennan) and John Feiten on May 3rd, 1933, and peacefully passed away on February 3, 2025, separating from his 91 year old worn-out earthly body with a smile on his face in his home of more than 60 years. We are sure he is currently dancing in heaven with his wife of 63 years. His four children, Greg (Nancy), Gail (Mark) O'Brien, Gwen Harbin, and Gary miss him deeply, as well as their ten grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren - with three more on the way. Jim is also survived by his brother Tom (Pam) and is predeceased by his brother John (Jane) and sister Joanne (Jim).



In 1957, Jim married his high school sweetheart Marilyn Joyce Feiten (Greig, d. 2020) one week after graduating college at General Motors Institute. They became members of Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church and were active until their deaths. "Poppy," as his grandkids called him, loved family gatherings, sailing on Mullet Lake, Sander's caramel cake, watching MSU football and professional tennis, and later, wintering with Marilyn ("Grammie") near the white sands and vivid sunsets of Madeira Beach, Florida.



A true car guy with gas and oil running through his veins, Poppy spent his career working at General Motors as an automotive engineer. After retirement, he could often be found washing his cars daily and in his garage tinkering with his vehicles - including a motorcycle or two over the years. He religiously attended the Woodward Dream Cruise annually. One day, Grammie found Poppy in their home garage installing a SUPERCHARGER on his 90's Camaro. She asked what he was doing, and he sneakily replied, "Oh, just replacing the water pump on the Camaro!!"



Poppy cared lovingly for Grammie at home until she died in 2020 of Alzheimer's. He missed her greatly after she passed. Jim and Marilyn both elected to serve as donors in Wayne State University Medical School's Body Bequest Program ("The Dead Shall Teach the Living"). An hour after his passing he was whisked away to be part of the medical school teaching staff. Jim and Marilyn will be buried together in the 2026 WSU Body Bequest Program plot at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi, MI. A memorial mass (9:30am visitation, 10:00am mass) will be held on March 29th at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, 32460 Pierce Street, Beverly Hills, MI 48025