R. James Jarrait II

Ralph James "Jim" Jarrait II of Troy passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 2, 2025 following a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Jim was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Marilyn (Miller) Jarrait, by his parents, Alice (Hawkins) Jarrait and Ralph James Jarrait, by his identical great-grandsons Aspen Huynh and Soren Huynh, and by his daughter Julie Kortman.

Jim is survived by his wife of seven years, Joan (Holcomb-Withers) Jarrait, children Laura (James) Bahnmiller, James (Stephanie) Jarrait, Daniel (Erin) Jarrait, John (Kim) Withers II and Jeff Kortman.

Surviving grandchildren are Shanda Jarrait, Patricia (Jerry) Huynh, Joslynn Jarrait, Jonathan Jarrait, Cody Enos, Logan Trupiano, Ella Kjoller, Michael Burcham, Steven Kortman, Stephanie Kortman, Tiffany Kortman, Amanda (Dan) Schooley, Krista (Ryker) McKensie, Roxanne Kortman, Amber (Josh) Call and Wesley Withers. Surviving great-grandchildren are Addison Kramer, Melanie Schooley, Bella McKensie and Maelyn Cools.

Jim was born at 12:20 pm on March 6th, 1942 at Highland Park General Hospital. Early in Jim's childhood, his father, Ralph, developed Multiple Sclerosis. Soon after Jim's birth, Ralph's condition worsened and caused him to need a wheelchair. If you know Jim at all, you won't be surprised by the fact that, even from a young age, Jim stepped up to help. Jim continued, alongside his mom, to help take care of his father for the next six decades. Ralph's limitations, however, didn't stop him from being a great father, passing his knowledge and skills down to his son. Throughout Jim's childhood, Ralph taught Jim to be his hands and feet. In doing so, Jim obtained many skills over the years, largely in carpentry and home repair. It was ultimately a result of this knowledge that Jim later had the skills needed to design and build the home in which he and Marilyn raised their family.

Although Jim had taken on these many responsibilities at home, he remained determined to stay on track in school, and that's exactly what he did. Jim graduated from John J Pershing High School in 1960 at the age of 18. It was just over four years later that Jim obtained his Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Wayne State University at age 23.

A bachelor's degree, however, wasn't the only good thing to come from Jim's time at WSU. On Wayne State's campus was a beautiful young woman, Marilyn Miller, who was also studying to become a teacher. Having a lot in common, Jim and Marilyn began dating and went on to get married on July 13th, 1964 at Warrendale Community Church in Dearborn, in a ceremony that began a marriage lasting 52 years.

Four years after their marriage, Jim and Marilyn had their first child, a daughter, Laura, in 1968. Two years later, in 1970, came a baby boy, James. The family became complete four years later in 1974 when the couple's second son, Daniel, came into the world.

Jim and Marilyn started their teaching careers alongside each other at Henry Ford Elementary School in the Hazel Park school district in 1964.

Almost a decade later, remaining passionate about the importance of education, Jim returned to school to pursue a Master of Art in Education Degree from Oakland University which he successfully obtained in 1973. A few years later, Jim then went on to complete his Education Specialist Certificate from Wayne State University in 1987.

It wasn't all that long after Jim's retirement that Marilyn began showing signs of Alzheimer's Disease. Without hesitation, Jim was his wife's primary caregiver, a role he filled with love, patience and unending support to the very end. He was by her side through it all. Marilyn passed away on July 28th, 2016.

Jim came back into contact with his good friend & high school sweetheart Joan Withers. Their love for each other was rekindled and they were married on August 4th 2018 at Ferndale Assembly of God. Joan has been such a blessing not only to Jim but to all of Jim's family.

Jim was a strong Christian who loved Jesus. He lived out his faith everyday through his actions in everyday life. He was a family man. He loved his family more than anything. He went above and beyond for his family more times than anyone can count. He was always kind, patient, supportive, generous & most importantly, present. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, & great grandfather. He will never be forgotten by all who've known him. Today, without a doubt, Jim stands in the presence of our Lord in Heaven.

His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good & faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord. Matthew 25:21

Well done, Jim.

Family will receive friends on Friday, November 7, 2025 from 4:00pm-7:00pm at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home 2600 Crooks Rd (between Maple/Big Beaver) Troy, MI 48084.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 11:00am at the funeral home. Visitation begins on Saturday at 10:00am.

Burial will be held privately at White Chapel Cemetery in Troy, Michigan.