It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of James Donald Stallings on September 11, 2026. Jim was born at home in Cullman, Alabama on January 25, 1944. He was an accomplished athlete and educator, a hall of fame coach; and a world class husband, father and friend. He will be missed by many.

Jim’s family moved north to Romulus, Michigan when he was 11. After he graduated from Romulus High, he then attended Hillsdale college where he played football, wrestled and did some acting.

Jim began his coaching and teaching career in Romulus in 1967 where he met Sherry Smith, the love of his life. They were married November 30, 1968. In 1974 he would take his talents to Trenton where they would raise their family and make their home. Jim coached Trenton wrestling for 30 years. He coached many champions and teams that placed among the top ten in the state. He retired from coaching with a career record of 447-159-3. He was recognized by the press and his peers with many coach of the year awards and hall of fame inductions, but as much as those things were important to him what Jim was all about was making sure his wrestlers knew he was in their corner, and that he would do whatever he could to help them be the best athlete and person they could be.

Jim's teaching career had a 2nd act. As a veteran teacher he went back to school at Eastern Michigan University for a Specialist degree in Special Education. It was quickly clear he was good at it and he found it very rewarding. He liked to joke that it was easy for him because "I am a little special myself." He was. He had incredible patience, kindness, determination, and creativity in the classroom. His proudest moments as an educator were working with his most profoundly challenged students and their families to help them to have a more joyful and well rounded school experience than they thought was available to them.

At home Jim was a gentle giant who adored his family and friends. He was funny and charismatic, he told great stories and was not stingy with his personality.

From the very beginning of their romance, Jim and Sherry took full advantage of their summers off. Camping and travel with, or to visit friends and family all over, from Baja, to Montreal and most places between. After Brad and Christy came along, they too joined the traveling adventures. Often their friends were swept up into the Stallings family traditions of summertime. They chased a thousand fireflies and wrecked at least one golf cart at their places on Long Lake and at Sandy Pines and Gulf Shores.

The highlight of their retirement was the years in Plainwell when their house was almost always filled with tiny footsteps and all the other joyful noise Cooper Clardy and Lily Stallings could make, and where he set the world record for telling his grandkids that he loved them.

Survived by Sherry Smith Stallings, Bradley, Maddy, Lily Stallings, Christy, JC, Cooper Clardy, Melba Stallings Chaney, Gail Smith Stallings and many nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by parents John T., Mildred Hinkle Stallings, brothers Joe and Hulon Stallings, and grandson Noah Stallings.

Celebration of Life at Peoples Church, 1758 N. 10th St., Kalamazoo, Mi. 49009

October 3. 1-5 pm.