James Buford Kuykendall

James "Shakey" Kuykendall, 71, died at his home in Algonac on Saturday, September 13, 2025, with his loving wife of 27 years at his side. He was born on October 4, 1953 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
He was a great man who loved his family and friends; there wasn't anything he wouldn't do to help when he could. His passing leaves a hole in the hearts of many.
Shakey was a truck driver for John Carlo Inc. and worked many long days during the road construction season. He was very proud to have worked on the crews that built M-59, I-275, and many other highway projects in Michigan. He also built the roads in many subdivisions in Macomb County.
He loved to travel to Bike Week in Florida, and to Tennessee and Kentucky visiting family and friends.
He was a long time member of the Free Wheelers Motorcycle Club, and loved to ride his Harley Davidsons and tinker with bikes. He was a great mechanic, there wasn't much he couldn't fix.
Sadly, in 2007 he had a fall off his dump-crete and sustained a severe traumatic brain injury, which changed the course of his life. It effected his memory, vision, and cognitive abilities, yet he courageously faced life's challenges. He still loved to travel and visit with friends and family.
Shakey is survived by his wife Pamela (Franko); his sons, James (Rica) Duff, Jacob Kuykendall, and Nicholas (Brittni) Purchase; his grandchildren, Elizabeth, Jessica, Nathan, Hank, Tyler, Eli; his nephews: Paul (Gail), and Kurtis (Kimberly), Nieces: Debra (Laureen) and Paula (James), and Katie, and his mother-In-Law Diane Franko.
He was preceded in death by his mother Carrie Lawrence; his brother Paul, sister Claudia, and niece Charlotte.
A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. with visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady on the River Parish Holy Cross Church 610 S. Water St. Marine City, MI 48039. A luncheon will follow in the Parish Activity Center.
Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Memorial-Bower Rose Funeral Home. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James, please visit our floral store.