James H. "Jim" Booth

Jim Booth, 78, of Lansing, MI, died August 14th, 2016, with his loving wife of 52 years and family by his side.

James Harold Booth was born July 17, 1938, in Baldwin, Kansas, to parents Helen Ehrhardt and Harvey Mellenbruch Booth. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Kathryn “Kathy” Gebhart Booth; children, Charlotte Harvey (Theophilis) and Tiera Graham (Kal); grandchildren, Josha Harvey (fiancé Dion), Theophilis Harvey III, Takara Page (Marc), Jordan, Savanna, and Mitchal Graham; newly-born great-grandchildren, Maxwell James Page (born July 13th) and Nyla Renee Jackson (born August 12th); sister, Mary Emily Booth Thomas (David House); many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim completed his Bachelor of Science at Kansas State University in Feed Technology in 1960 and his Master of Science in Agriculture and Applied Science in 1962 and came to Lansing to teach at Michigan State University. He finished his work career selling residential real estate.

Jim was well loved and an important member of his family and community. He was Treasurer of Letts Community Center Advisory Board, volunteered regularly as the overnight helper at Loaves and Fishes (his breakfasts were famous), and delivered Meals on Wheels frequently. He was a docent at the Lansing Historical Museum, sang with the Earl Nelson Singers and MSU’s Choral Union, regularly donated blood and platelets to the American Red Cross, and had been a long-time member of Red Cedar Friends Meeting (Quakers).

Jim enjoyed researching and immersing himself in new ideas and sharing these with others. He was a history connoisseur and particularly enjoyed learning about Michigan history. He was an avid reader and attender of concerts, movies, and theatre; he belonged to a book club and two movie groups. Jim also enjoyed travel and spending time with his grandchildren and other family. He was the family glue/foundation and managed the extended family communication of letters and emails.

He will be missed.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 27, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Red Cedar Friends Meeting House, 1400 Turner Street, Lansing, MI 48906. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Loaves & Fishes Ministry to be used for quality kitchen cookware or to Michigan Historical Foundation – 19th Century Exhibit Renovation.

Print Obituary

4 Messages to “James H. "Jim" Booth

Print Messages
Timothy Bay
August 21, 2016 at 10:17 pm

You will be missed. Thanks for the life
you led, showing and telling how it’s done well. Love to all.

Reply
Joe Sanger
August 23, 2016 at 9:30 am

Gloria and I send our condolences to the family of James Booth.

I met Jim many years ago when I was an assistant coach for my daughters”s Summer softball team, Skory Auto Sound. Jim was the coach of a rival team that we played against many times over those years. We looked forward to each year’s rivalry.

May God forever bless and cherish his good and faithful servant.

Joe & Gloria Sanger

Reply
Charles long
August 14, 2019 at 11:42 am

Am so sorry Jim took me fishing when I was a kid down on I think it was his mom’s farm he lived up stairs from my family and we always talked and his wife kathy you couldn’t have better people than them 2 then they moved to lancing Michigan I remember play street football him being much older he would play right along am so sorry for his passing the farm was fun too when me my sister he took us down to Baldwin Kansas and he told us to go fish this pond he had some other relatives and all them crappie we caught I just remember the look on Jim’s face all he said who’s going to clean all of these and we the kids all did I should have gotten up there to visit they was always understanding I’ll say my prayers he in a good place god will have a great person

Reply
Bernard LaVussa
March 8, 2024 at 2:18 pm

It is now almost 8 years since Jim Booth passed on. I have just learned of his passing, and I feel sorry and rather embarrassed to be writing this so late. I pray that that Kathy and the children are all well, and send my sincere condolences to them and the entire family.

My wife and I, with our two babies at the time, were graciously housed and accommodated by Jim and Kathy back in 1987 when we lost our housing during my years as a graduate student at MSU. They asked nothing of us, except understanding. We were united especially by our shared backgrounds as lifelong Quakers, him American and me Kenyan. We stayed with them for nearly a year. A few years later I returned to Kenya to work, and, unfortunately, lost contact with the Booths. But I never forgot their sacrifice and friendship. The news of Jim’s passing has left me feeling very sad.

I would like to express our sincere condolences to the family, and pray for their continued wellbeing. I remember Jim’s two daughters, Charlotte and Tiera, baby Josha, and Jim’s aged mother Helen. She must be in Heaven, too, by now. We had many good times together then. Our ‘babies’ are grown with their own families now!
May Jim’s soul rest in everlasting peace.

Reply

Please Sign The Guestbook

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *