Richard Eugene James
Richard Eugene James, age 78, passed away at his farm home on Sheldon Creek Rd., Marcellus, with his loving family at his side.
Richard was born Janu-ary 7, 1939, the son of Rix and Florence (French) James in Three Rivers Hospital.
He was married to Meriella Loraine Wright in the Federated Church in Dowagiac on August 14, 1960, who survives.
Also surviving him is one son, Todd (Susan) James of Wayland; one daughter, Tami Small of Marcellus; four Grandchil-dren, Nick and Marissa James and Dillon and JoLeigh Small; one sister, Dianna (Roy) Dietrich of Gobles; many nieces and nephews.
Richard and Meriella had friends that they con-sidered family. They are Herb, Niki, and Aaron Ward; Tylor, Dusti, Ethan, and Hollee Kubiszak and Nolan Davis.
He was a 1956 Graduate from Marcellus High School and a Graduate of Western Michigan University. He taught in the Howard Community Middle school for 5 years and 29 years in the Dowagiac Union High School. A total of 34 years in education. He taught Business and Math and also the Aviation Course in Dowagiac.
While in Dowagiac he was a football coach for several years.
Richard was very in-volved in Aviation. He developed and implemented the creation of the first ever Dowagiac Union High School Aviation curricu-lum/courses and Aviation Club for grades 9-12. He implemented, expanded and sustained the program from the years 1969 to 1994.
The United States Air Force recognized Richard for his successful history working with both males and females on the Aviation course.
The US Air Force invited Richard to San Antonio Air Force Base where instructors consulted him for his input on the best teaching methods with young people.

He had a student who took his class and became a Crew Chief on Air Force One. Richard had a three hour tour on Air Force One in 1994.
Richard was a district Sales Manager for Growers Mineral Solutions out of Milan, Ohio, until the time of his death.
Richard had many interests, but being a farmer and family man was always at the top of his list. The James family have been in farming in the Marcellus area since the late 30’s when Richard was born. They were dairy farmers at one time. He and Meriella are owners of Sheldon Creek Farms.
Services for Richard will be held at the Edwards Corners Bible Church, 51047 Chamberlain Road, Marcellus, MI 49067, on Thursday, July 6 at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service starting at 10:00 a.m.
A Luncheon will follow the service.
Donations can be made to Edwards Corners Bible Church, 51047 Chamber-lain Road, Marcellus, MI 49067 building fund, or Grace Hospice, 2725 Airview Blvd. Ste. 101, Portage, MI 49002-1804.
Cremation has taken place.

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