James Brubaker

James Brubaker
James Wesley Brubaker, 85 of Midland, passed away at MyMichigan Medical Center of Midland on November 1, 2025. He was born March 13, 1940 to David and Mary (Shrock) Brubaker in Midland, MI.
Jim started working at the age of 12 by helping his brother deliver newspapers in the Bullock Creek area, and selling concessions during ballgames at Emerson Park. He always claimed the best thing his mom did for him was to take him to A & P to fill out an application. He worked for A & P for ten years, then joined the National Guards and patrolled Detroit streets during the race riots in 1967. He then worked at the Saginaw Foundry for two and a half years when his brother Dave told him to get out of there and apply for a job at the Dow Chemical Company which he did and worked there for thirty years in manufacturing. While he was working at A & P, he left on his lunch break to go over to St. Brigid's Catholic Church to get baptized April 1, 1961 by Father Mahowski.
Jim was an avid athlete running in many 10 K road races, biking, swimming and skiing. He and his son Mike skied the Canadian Rockies and the European Alps in Austria.
Jim married the love of his life Helen McCann on August 18, 1962 at St. Brigid's Catholic Church and had one son Michael Brubaker.
Surviving is Jim's son Michael, his brother Dave and Bernie Brubaker, sister Sherrill and Larry Adamcik, Margaret Daniels, Kathy Hair, Jack McCann and wife and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving is his favorite cousin Loretta Kauffman, dear friend Arlene Blasius and best friends Denny Golke and Tracy Scholtz.
Jim is predeceased by his loving wife Helen, parents David and Mary Brubaker, sister Jackie Gates, Helen's parents, John and Helen McCann, her sister Bonnie Neiner. Brothers-in-laws Mark Neiner, Jerry Garno, Art Daniels, and Rodney Hair.
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 10, 2025 at St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church. Friends may visit with the family on Monday, November 10, 2025 at the church from 10:00am until the time of service. He will be laid to rest next to his wife at Homer Township Cemetery at a later date.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider St. Brigid of Kildare Catholic Church.
Smith-Miner Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Brubaker family; to share a special memory please visit www.smithminer.com.