James Richard Firos

Firos, James photoDeWitt

Born February 7, 1948, in Fresno, CA, son of the late George and Charlene (Kelly) Firos, passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, July 13, 2017, at age 69.

Jim attended WMU and received his Bachelor’s in Political Science from MSU.  He served in the US Air Force during Vietnam and retired from the United States Postal Service (USPS) following 32 years of service, where he also served as a Union Representative and former President of the Union.  Jim was an active member of both Sycamore Creek Church and University United Methodist Church.  He mentored youth as a counselor for 23 years at Crystal Springs United Methodist Camp. He was the director of his church basketball league for over 20 years, and he was a softball pitching coach.  Jim was a member of both the Kiwanis Club and the Lions Club and for many years was a guest speaker/professor at CMU. A big part of Jim’s life was his grandchildren. He loved camping, fishing, helping them with school, and just simply being with them. It was important to Jim to take a major role in their lives, which made him a very proud grandpa.

Surviving are his wife of 39 years, Karen (Beckett) Firos; their children, Jennifer Wilzer and Jacqueline (Simon) Samara; 5 grandchildren, Caitlyn, Nathan, David, Grace, and Moussa; brother, George (Marie) Firos; sisters, Margaret Robbins and Char Firos; brother-in-law, Matthew (Gerry) Beckett and his family; nieces and nephews, Mike (Tara) Firos, Katie (Chad) Bultema, Alicia (Chad) Decheney, Greg (Chevonne) Robbins, and Mark (Emily) Robbins along with many other extended family members.  Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his father and mother-in-law, Earl (Marian) Beckett.

The funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 29, 2017, at University United Methodist Church, 1120 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing.  The family will receive friends at the University United Methodist Church on Friday, July 28th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. and again on Saturday for one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Crystal Springs United Methodist Camp, Sycamore Creek Church, or to his youth basketball league c/o Jacqueline Samara at 1155 Hillgate Way, Lansing, MI 48912. Arrangements by Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.

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12 Messages to “James Richard Firos

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Dianne Baker Popma
July 17, 2017 at 12:47 pm

Deepest condolences to Karen and family. Went through Muskegon High School with Jim and have always been impressed with his intellect, curiosity, and caring nature. May God’s grace comfort you during this time.

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Toni gates
July 18, 2017 at 10:32 am

So very sad we will miss all the informative conversations we had with Jim over the years he was a very intelligent man and hard working right till the very end ,such a shock and will be sorely missed by the gates/tester family ,our deepest sympathies to all his family during this time .

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Kate
July 18, 2017 at 11:46 am

I have so many memories of my Uncle Jim, most involve some sort of sport. He was ALWAYS playing with us, whether it be hockey on his lake, badminton in Grandpa and Grandpa’s yard, or baseball at the field around the corner. I’ll never forget the time my cousin accidentally hit a line drive to my face, and I looked up to a very scared Uncle Jimmy holding up several fingers for me to count. We both started laughing and I got up and started playing again.

Most of my fondest memories of him come from Crystal Springs Camp. I’ll never forget the day on my mom’s back porch, listening to Uncle Jim talk about how wonderful the camp was. I was sold! He and I shared 5 or 6 years together as counselors.

Lastly, his beautiful voice will always be etched in my memory. He loved to sing and play his guitar and man was he talented!!!

This wonderful man showed me how to be social and to always be kind to others. I will miss him dearly! RIP Uncle Jim.

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Monica sebenick
July 18, 2017 at 8:44 pm

Jim was a friend’s friend. He was a friend to all who came into his life. He genuinely cared about people . His family was his pride and joy. His grandchildren, the love was so much there in Jim. He is a child of God and worked hard to have others have a chance to know and have a relationship with God. I love spending trivia time with you Jim and also super bowl parties at your best friend John Ingraham house. You are in the arms of our loving God and at peace. I feel blessed just knowing you, Jim.

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Pat Buser Goller
July 18, 2017 at 9:09 pm

Karen, Jackie and Jennifer and grandkids. I am so so sorry for your loss of your beloved Jim. His Obituary says it all. He was a giver and a keeper. All My Love Pat

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John Ingraham
July 19, 2017 at 9:50 am

Jim, you will be always remembered and loved. You were my best friend for 41 years. Our families were so intertwined. Your passing seems so unreal.
We will try to carry on your legacy of caring and loving others. Someday, we will all meet again with tears of joy rather than tears of sadness.
Give Pam a big hug from me.

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Joyce Bowser
July 20, 2017 at 5:01 pm

Our sincere sympathies to Karen and family from Joyce and Bob Bowser

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Gordon j. Wilson
July 21, 2017 at 3:02 pm

Deepest sympathy to a good man and good Union brother. A VERY intelligent man who knew practically everything about anything. Always willing to carry on a respectable conversation with you.

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Melissa Hogan
July 22, 2017 at 11:23 am

Our deepest condolences to Karen and the grandkids and rest of the family. Karen–we are out of town for the funeral but know you have been in our hearts and prayers since we learned of Jim’s passing. May God be with you and will connect when we return from summer travels. So saddened…

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Nathaniel wilzer
July 23, 2017 at 7:38 pm

This is hard but we are family, we have our ups and downs our crashes and falls no one is at blame he went out of this world as he came in peacefully and will not be forgotten

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Nathaniel wilzer
July 23, 2017 at 7:51 pm

My grandfather jim was a good guy i saw him more of a friend than my grandpa he would always try to get the boat working so we could go out on the lake. He taught me how to ride a bike and play a few chords on the guitar and we had been working on his fishing skills and after the first two fishing poles he got better at it god has taken him from this world but has given my grandpa his wings in his kingdom.

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Ying Zheng
July 26, 2017 at 9:12 pm

Deepest condolences to Karen and family! Jim’s passing is a loss for our community. He was such a caring person. He organized volunteer workdays for North school garden, and worked very hard to improve our school garden so the students can have hands-on learning opportunities. He will be missed dearly by North School staff and students!

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