James Edward Rix

On July 5th, James (Jim) Edward Rix passed away peacefully at home and joined his wife, Gerry, in heaven after losing her only a few weeks prior. Their time together on earth was nearly 65 years, and now they are at peace watching over their family for eternity. Jim’s legacy will live on through those who knew and loved his sincere devotion to family and to his community.

Jim was born on August 16, 1937, to Carroll and Lorene (Zielie) Rix. The third born of six children, he is survived by one sister, Janet (Art Alexander). Prior to Jim and Janet’s birth, their sister Barbara died as an infant. Jim’s other sisters and brothers who he loved so dearly were Maryann (Jerry Brown), Thomas (Karen), and Daniel (Carol).

Jim grew up in Mattawan and graduated from Mattawan Consolidated Schools. He often proudly told the story of his grandfather who helped visit several small schoolhouses within the growing area to help formulate the now consolidated school system. After high school, Jim spent a short time in college but felt urged to join the service and became a paratrooper in the U.S. Army before coming back home to Michigan.

In the summer of 1961, Jim was introduced to his future wife when she and a friend visited Michigan. Within just a few months, they were engaged to be married and did so in May of 1962. Together, Jim and Gerry built their home where they lived together throughout the rest of their lives. In June of 1963, they welcomed their firstborn, Timothy. Within the next five years, three daughters were also born – Thresa (David Howe), Tamara (Peter Davis), and Nancy (Rob Loftis).

Jim always smiled when he would talk about how he grew up in “the best time.” As a child, his family moved from downtown Mattawan to just three miles north of town to “the cabin” on a 40-acre plot where he would often ride his horse for hours. Otherwise, he spent time enjoying swimming, baseball, and working on area farms.

Jim remained loyal not only to his community, but to his family. He and each of his siblings built homes and raised their own families on the family plot, filled with pine trees planted by Jim, his sisters and brothers. Jim’s parents ultimately also built another home on a parcel to live out their years, surrounded by their kids and grandkids.

Jim developed lifelong friends in both high school and his 30 plus years working at Durametallic as a quality control manager. At home, Jim was regularly found on his tractor gardening or working in the wooded area of their property to keep their home beautiful. Jim loved woodworking and crafted countless tables, cabinets, bookshelves and other cherished pieces that remain in his home as well as those of his children and grandchildren.

Before Jim’s passing, he and Gerry were blessed with eleven grandchildren and great grandchildren – Jennifer (Lee) McChesney, Jessica Howe, Haleigh (Drew) Blaszkowski, Kaitlyn Loftis, Emily Davis, Piper Davis, Maggie Rix, Jimmy Rix, Devlyn McChesney, Regan McChesney, and Bodhi Loftis.

We will miss Jim as a loving and kind husband, dad, grandpa, brother and friend. Family and friends are invited to a memorial mass service at St. John Bosco Church in Mattawan, to begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 25. Jim and Gerry will be honored, celebrated, and buried together. A luncheon will be served following in the church hall. A private burial will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Mattawan.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Mattawan Wildpaks, P.O. BOX 153 Mattawan, MI 49071, Mattawan Area Food Pantry, PO Box 242, Mattawan, MI 4907, or to Centrica Care Navigators (formerly known as Hospice of Southwest Michigan), 7100 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.