James Thomas Ligon

James Thomas Ligon, age 96, of Almont Michigan, passed peacefully surrounded by his family at 6:54 pm on November 17th, 2024 at home. He was born on October 30th, 1928 in Highland Park, Michigan to James Dimmitt Ligon and Mary Whitlock (Morris) Ligon. He graduated from Almont High School in 1946 and went on to earn a Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University. He served in the Army at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland during the Korean War. Jim met Josephine (Jo) Bird at an Almont Community Hospital Fund Raising Tea in November of 1956. Jim and Jo were married on April 5th, 1957 on a rare snowy day. They had a full life together raising seven children and enjoying golf, flying, skiing, singing in the church choir, farming and spending time with friends and family. Over the years, he served as President of The Four County Community Foundation and as a Trustee of the First Congregational Church. Additionally, he was on the Almont Community School Board and the board of directors at the Almont Savings Bank.
As an engineer, Jim started his career working with his brother, Bob, at Orchard Molding. He also worked at Hamill Manufacturing Company owned by his father and Uncle Bob. He enjoyed his long engineering career working in various automotive manufacturing businesses including his role as Vice President of Firestone Seatbelt Division. He, along with several family members, operated Avion Coach Corporation from 1970 to 1976 at which time they sold it to Fleetwood Enterprises as a successful business. In 1976, Jim, and his sons, and his brother in law, Doug Sexton, formed The Ligon Brothers Manufacturing Company, named after his father's and uncle's company at John R and State Fair. During his lifetime, Jim enjoyed solving engineering problems and developed many innovative patents.
He is survived by his children, James (Sally) Ligon, Mary Louise Ligon, Catherine (Ligon) Durst, Janet (Paul) McCormick, Jean (Kurt) Fischer, and Scott Ligon; twenty grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters Patricia (Ligon) Sexton of Franklin, Tennessee and Jean Ligon of Hamburg, Michigan as well as his brother Richard Ligon of Hawaii.
He was preceded in death by his wife Josephine, his son Russell, and his grandson Benjamin. He was also preceded by his brother Bob and his parents James and Mary Ligon.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 2:00PM-8:00PM at the Muir Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center (2650 South Van Dyke, Imlay City, MI 48444.) Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10:00AM-12:00PM with the Funeral Service to be held at 12:00PM at the First Congregational Church-Almont (201 East St Clair St. Almont MI 48003.) Memorials donations may be made to The Four County Community Foundation's, Russell W. Ligon Memorial Scholarship Fund in Jim's honor (141 S. Main Street Romeo, MI 48065.) Be sure to share a fond memory of Jim on his memorial page at www.muirfh.com.