James A. Dawdy, 82 years old of Grand Rapids, MI went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on May 17, 2022. Jim fought a courageous battle against cancer of the lungs and brain for two years.

Jim is proceeded in death by his mother Rachel "Mercer" Dawdy and his father Douglas Dawdy, a brother Douglas Dawdy, and a daughter Kristen Dawdy

Jim was married to his wife, Joan Marie for 45 years. Jim leaves behind five children: Michael McIntire (Jerlin) FL, Kurt Dawdy (RuthAnn) MI, Karen Pershing (Ed), TN, Kent Dawdy (Janice) AL, Katie Gammon (Lance) TN. He had five siblings; Brother Douglas Eddie (Judie), MI; Sister Janice Gammie (Greg) IL; Sister Margaret Story (Ron), MI; Sister Inlaw Carol Schuh (Gene), FL, many grandchildren that he loved and were all special to him: Amanda, Rick, Leah, Sarah, Ashley, Andy, Courtney, Nathan, Grason, Caroline, his adopted grandchildren- Jason Rodgers, Terrence Thomas of Aruba and Will Vauter of Muskegeon, and a special prayer partner: Danny Tardy.

Jim never knew a stranger. He always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude. He had many accomplishments in his long career. First as a teacher at Rogers High School for two years. Then many years in the Property Casualty Insurance business; first with Michigan Mutual Insurance, then Johnson & Higgins- was his favorite working for Jim Meathe. He then moved to Marsh & McLennan in which he became the CEO of the West Michigan office. He then retired from there and went to work at USI Insurance Services of West Michigan where he became the President. He also had other businesses with his wife Joan; three hair salons and a grocery store on the island St Croix, US Virgin Islands.

He loved sailing and racing on Lake Michigan, also on Tortola Island in the West Indies and Hawaii. He served at the Revolution Christian Ministries under his dear friend and pastors, Jermone Glen and Erica Glen. We traveled together and did life together- a blessed purposeful relationship. He is loved by so many and he will leave a big hole in our lives, but we all will meet again.

Thank you all for all the love and support you gave us through this journey.

Following the request of James, no services will take place at this time. In lieu of flowers please make contributions in Jim's memory to Ginny Jo Ministries at 55 Middleboro NE Dr. Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Service Details. Online Memory & Photo Sharing Event Ongoing Online Event About this event In Loving Memory Of James Dawdy May 18, 1940 - May 17, 2022 Look inside to read what others have shared Family and friends are coming together online to create a special keepsake. Every memory left on the online obituary will be automatically included in this book. View Tribute Book