James J. McGuirk

1932 - 2017

McGuirk, James J. Age 84; of Mt. Pleasant; passed away Tuesday, March 28, 2017 in Rockford, MI. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Thursday, April 13 from 3 to 7 p.m. A celebration of Jim's life will be held on Friday, April 14, at Buck's Run with the family receiving friends from 3 to 4 p.m. A brief ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. with dinner to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider the McGuirk/Ganiard West Side School Scholarship Fund or the McGuirk Family Fund, both funded through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Jim was born Sept. 21, 1932, in Mt. Pleasant MI, son of the late James and Mamie (Vujtech) McGuirk. A graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School in 1951, Jim served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1954. In the 1960's he was employed by Dow Chemical in the photography department. He was the owner and operator of United Apartments in Mt. Pleasant, student housing, since 1963. Jim had a passion for boating, water sports, sports cars, and recreational vehicles. He enjoyed and related well to the students who rented from him. He was a very generous man, as well, supporting many good causes in the community. Most notably was a gift to Central Michigan University in honor of the McGuirk Family. As gratitude to Jim, CMU named its arena 'McGuirk Arena'. Jim's generosity wasn't limited to the university. As his family grew up close to, and attended Ganiard Elementary, Jim established the McGuirk/Ganiard Westside School Scholarship benefiting two seniors each year that attended Ganiard while growing up. He was a trailblazer in Mt. Pleasant and many of his real estate dealings will continue to flourish because of his many years of hard work. Jim is survived by two sisters and their husbands, Sonja and Charlie Albaugh of Oil City and JoAnn and Menard Nehrt of Mt. Pleasant; sister-in-law, Jean McGuirk of Mt. Pleasant; nieces and nephews, Sandra and Patrick Dean of Rockford and their children, Nicholas and Virginia 'Ginger'; Leroy 'Chuck' and Jennifer McGuirk of Mt. Pleasant and their children, Paige, Alexis and Brandon; Rick and Julie McGuirk of Mt. Pleasant and their children, Thomas, Trevor, Tyler and Taryn; Rose and Vern Hoag of Beal City and their children, Ryan, Kristin, Jamie and Marla; Mark and Tammy Carrier of Clare and their daughters, Aftin and Shawnna; John and Jodi Carrier and their daughters, Samantha and Alyssa; Chuck and Doreen Albaugh and their children, Jennifer and Thomas; Marje and Joe Kequom of Oil City and their daughter, Brooke; Bill and Jill Albaugh of Oil City and their daughters, Lizzie and Lillian; Pat Jr. and Nancy McGuirk of Mt. Pleasant and their children, Jade and Sean; Peggy Moore of Mt. Pleasant and her daughter, Jennifer; Colleen Shaw of Mt. Pleasant and her daughters, Larissa and Kali; Kelly and Kurt Keehbauch of Mt. Pleasant and their children Kendra and Kory; Dennis and Kim West of Mt. Pleasant and children, Jennifer, Marie, Lindsay and Deana; John and Becky West of Rosebush and their children, John, Melissa, Cody, Joey and Luke; and numerous great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Mamie McGuirk; siblings and in-laws, Rose Marie and Joe West, Pat McGuirk, and Leroy and Virginia 'Ginger' McGuirk; niece, Jamie Carrier; niece-in-law, Judi West; and great-nephew, Trent McGuirk. To leave a condolence for the family or to sign the online guest book please visit www.charlesrlux.com