James Patrick McKouen

James P. McKouen, age 76, died Tuesday, March 4, 2025, peacefully in his sleep. He was born in Lansing, MI., graduated from Gabriels High School in 1967, and received his BA in mechanical engineering from General Motors Institute (now Kettering) in Flint in 1972. His 41-year career with GM began with 26 years at Oldsmobile in Lansing (including a jaunt at the Arizona Proving Grounds in 1974-1975) and ended when he retired in 2009 after working 15 years at the Milford Proving Grounds.
Jim was a gentle and quiet soul. Those who knew him well knew his smiling, thoughtful, and caring personality; his fun-loving, and sometimes "lovably goofy", humor; and his engineering mind, always excited to come up with solutions for issues he or others were facing. He was known for "flashing" his eyebrows to emphasize something, prompt smiles, or just inject a situation with playfulness. Over the years he enjoyed playing euchre and bridge, traveling, computers, photography, hunting/target shooting and woodworking.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Vincent W. McKouen and Polly A. McKouen, and his son Matthew J. McKouen. Jim will be missed by Cindy, his loving wife of 54 years and son Kevin. He is also survived by his brother Mike McKouen (Lilah) and sister Pam McMichael (Duane), and many in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association at alz.org.