James Brouwer Jr. was born in Kalamazoo, MI on August 24, 1946, to James Sr and Pearl Brouwer. He lived his entire life in the Kalamazoo Area. Jim had a strong Christian faith and was always involved in the church. He attended Kalamazoo Christian High School and married his high school sweetheart Elaine Brouwer and raised three children. He was a very skilled archer and fly fisherman. He enjoyed tying his own fly-fishing flies and making his own arrows. He had several other hobbies over the years, like woodworking and leathercrafting. He loved watching all kinds of sports, and especially enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren's participation over the years. Jim had a variety of professions over the years. As a youth he worked in the celery flats. Jim started his career in the printing industry at Merchants Publishing as a plate maker and press operator. He then took a mail order class to learn how to upholster furniture. After learning the trade, he and his wife Elaine opened a small business called Brouwers Upholstery which stayed open until Elaine's passing in 2011. He and Elaine were also custodians at Southern Heights Church. He then followed his passion and became a certified fishing captain in the State of Michigan and opened another small business called Brouwer's Fly Fishing and Guide Service. He worked for several years at Fishing Memories in Portage, MI. Over the years he also had short stints as a bus driver for the Kalamazoo Christian Schools, a floor technician at Bronson Hospital, a salesman at Lyman Lamps, and most recently a driver for the Greater Kalamazoo Auto Auction. Later in life Jim married Mary Woodard (Wiers). He quickly became a welcomed and loved addition to Mary's family. Jim was preceded in death by his loving wife Elaine Brouwer (Grashuis), his parents James Sr and Pearl Brouwer, and his sister Jean Edeker. Jim is survived by his wife Mary. Also surviving is his immediate family, his son Michael (Tammie) Brouwer and their children Ben (Emily) Brouwer and Becca (Patrick) Houlihan; his daughter Laura (Theresa Seeberger) Brouwer; and his daughter Rachel (Steve) Stafford and their children Nate and Sarah. Surviving also are his step family Chandra (Chris) Ashby, Melissa Charlier, Harold (Samantha) Charlier Jr., Tricia Adams, 15 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren. He was a blessing to everyone who knew him and will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, October 28th at 6:00pm at Voyage Church, 6339 Atlantic Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49009.



Service Information

Service
When: Friday, October 28, 2022 6:00pm
Location: Voyage Church
Address: 6339 Atlantic Ave.Kalamazoo,Michigan 49009