James ‘Jim’ Ray Gafner

Jim was born and raised in Escanaba, on Aug. 31, 1950. He served in the U.S. Navy on the ship U.S. Naval Hospital Ship Comfort as petty officer first class, retiring in 1994. After retirement, he worked as a truck driver. He was a huge fan of the Detroit Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings. He loved cooking out with his family in Escanaba, fishing, watching his nephews play slowpitch baseball. He was ordained to officiate his nieces wedding in 2013. His family was very important to him.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Rudy and Betty Gafner; brother and sister-in-law, Rudy and Dori Gafner; brother-in-law, Dick Bizeau.

He is survived by daughter, Kim (Glenn) Jackson; granddaughters, Kayla (Ashley) Windnagle, Samantha Nasca; great-grandson, James Warehan, all of Traverse City; sister, Judy Bizeau of Escanaba, Tina (Keith) Jackson of Kalamazoo; nephews, Mike (Jodi), Tony Bizeau of Escanaba, Eric Gafner of Lansing , Adam (Hannah) Jackson, Kalamazoo; nieces, Brenda (Jim) Clark of Escanaba, Ann Bizeau of N.C., Lisa (Al) Letts. of Allagan, Lillian Jackson of Kalamazoo, and may great and great-great-nephews and nieces.

Condolences and memories may be shared with Jim’s family on May, 19, 2018 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Eagles Club.