Obituary for James C. "Jim" Verrette
Iron Mountain-James C. “Jim” Verrette, 91, of Iron Mountain, Mich., passed away Friday, December 11, 2020, at Evergreen Assisted Living, Kingsford, Mich.
Jim was born August 27, 1929, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Edward and Perina (Bacco) Verrette. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School, class of 1948, and the University of Michigan, class of 1952. Jim was a lifetime member of the Michigan Alumni Association and Alpha Kappa Phi Business Fraternity.
He was united in marriage on June 2, 1956, to Barbara Jean (Sill) Fugit. They lived life to the fullest for 64 years until her passing on July 27, 2020.
Jim proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. Afterwards, he was employed by his brother Louis at Champion Inc. from 1954-1961 when he and his brother John formed the J Verrette Company. John left J Verrette Company in 1962, and Jim was president from 1962 until his retirement. He served eight years on the National Butler Builder Council and was a member of the Iron Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Corporation, United Fund, Menominee Range Historical Museum Founder’s Club, Rotary Club, Chippewa Club, Pine Grove County Club, Golden “K” Club, and Golden “K” Singers.
Jim retired in 1979 at the age of 50 following a heart attack in 1978. He was always active and enjoyed many sports, especially skiing and golfing. Jim also liked card games, dancing, socializing, and traveling, and he and Barb spent many happy winters in Fort Myers, FL. Their group of dear friends had a “Supper Club” that shared laughter and fun for more than fifty years. In recent years, Jim kept active playing smear at the Senior Center and singing at nursing homes and local events with the Golden “K” Singers. Jim often sang or whistled while he worked or played and loved both work and play.
Jim approached life in the spirit of this quote by Thomas Hughes: “Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one’s self and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.”
He is survived by his two children, Lisa (Dan) Wender of Iron Mountain and Robert (Vickie) Verrette of Sun Prairie, Wis.; three grandchildren; Jeanna (Bryan) Lienhard, Katherine (Matt) Dziewicki, and Matthew Verrette; two step-grandchildren, Neil Wender and Nick (Kim) Wender; five great-grandchildren, Emilia, Clive, and Thatcher Lienhard, and Lydia and Theodore Dziewicki.
In addition to his parents and wife Barb, Jim was preceded in death by four brothers, Louis, Edward, John, and Joseph; and his sister, Dolores Cowell.
The family extends our most sincere thanks and appreciation to the dedicated staff at Evergreen Assisted Living for the warm and personal care they gave Jim, especially during the recent difficult months.
There will be a life celebration in the spring or whenever pandemic restrictions allow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to the Friends of the Braumart, PO Box 156, Iron Mountain, MI 49801 or Golden K Club, c/o Paul Ward, 29 College Street, Quinnesec, MI 49876.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Jim’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Jim’s legacy of life.
Jim was born August 27, 1929, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Edward and Perina (Bacco) Verrette. He graduated from Iron Mountain High School, class of 1948, and the University of Michigan, class of 1952. Jim was a lifetime member of the Michigan Alumni Association and Alpha Kappa Phi Business Fraternity.
He was united in marriage on June 2, 1956, to Barbara Jean (Sill) Fugit. They lived life to the fullest for 64 years until her passing on July 27, 2020.
Jim proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. Afterwards, he was employed by his brother Louis at Champion Inc. from 1954-1961 when he and his brother John formed the J Verrette Company. John left J Verrette Company in 1962, and Jim was president from 1962 until his retirement. He served eight years on the National Butler Builder Council and was a member of the Iron Mountain Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Corporation, United Fund, Menominee Range Historical Museum Founder’s Club, Rotary Club, Chippewa Club, Pine Grove County Club, Golden “K” Club, and Golden “K” Singers.
Jim retired in 1979 at the age of 50 following a heart attack in 1978. He was always active and enjoyed many sports, especially skiing and golfing. Jim also liked card games, dancing, socializing, and traveling, and he and Barb spent many happy winters in Fort Myers, FL. Their group of dear friends had a “Supper Club” that shared laughter and fun for more than fifty years. In recent years, Jim kept active playing smear at the Senior Center and singing at nursing homes and local events with the Golden “K” Singers. Jim often sang or whistled while he worked or played and loved both work and play.
Jim approached life in the spirit of this quote by Thomas Hughes: “Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one’s self and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in another.”
He is survived by his two children, Lisa (Dan) Wender of Iron Mountain and Robert (Vickie) Verrette of Sun Prairie, Wis.; three grandchildren; Jeanna (Bryan) Lienhard, Katherine (Matt) Dziewicki, and Matthew Verrette; two step-grandchildren, Neil Wender and Nick (Kim) Wender; five great-grandchildren, Emilia, Clive, and Thatcher Lienhard, and Lydia and Theodore Dziewicki.
In addition to his parents and wife Barb, Jim was preceded in death by four brothers, Louis, Edward, John, and Joseph; and his sister, Dolores Cowell.
The family extends our most sincere thanks and appreciation to the dedicated staff at Evergreen Assisted Living for the warm and personal care they gave Jim, especially during the recent difficult months.
There will be a life celebration in the spring or whenever pandemic restrictions allow. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial gift to the Friends of the Braumart, PO Box 156, Iron Mountain, MI 49801 or Golden K Club, c/o Paul Ward, 29 College Street, Quinnesec, MI 49876.
You may leave a condolence or tribute for Jim’s family online at www.JacobsFuneralHomes.com.
The family has chosen Jacobs Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Iron Mountain, Mich., to honor Jim’s legacy of life.