James Beier

James H. Beier, age 84, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at the Tuscola County Medical Care Facility, following a brief illness. He was born on September 18, 1926 in Fraser, the son of the late Henry & Mabel (Kollmorgan) Beier. After the death of his biological mother shortly after his birth, Jim was raised by his loving step-mother, Rose (Heisner) Beier. Jim attended Utica High School until the 11th grade when he enlisted at the age of seventeen in the U.S. Navy. He served during World War II in Japan, Hawaii and the Philippines. He was discharged in 1946 after two years of honorable service. Upon his return from the service, Jim was united in marriage with the former Patricia Joyce Woodie on March 8, 1947 in Rochester. Jim and Pat cherished their years together, and both looked forward to celebrating sixty-five years of marriage next year. Jim was employed as a tree trimmer and investigator for Detroit Edison for thirty-three years, retiring in 1982. He was an active member of the Caro American Legion Post #7, past president of the Tuscola County Conservation Club, and before coming to Caro was a member of the Utica Lions Club and VFW. Jim will be best remembered as a man that could walk into a room full of strangers and leave with a room full of friends. An avid outdoorsman that passed his love of nature on to his children and grandchildren, Jim enjoyed fishing, hunting, skeet shooting and woodworking. Jim is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Beier of Caro; two daughters and their spouses, Susan & Greg Binder of Cleveland, Ohio, Jo & Tom Bowman of Caro; four grandchildren and their spouses, Corey & Katie Bowman of Grand Rapids, Jamie & Bryce Olson of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, Melinda & Bhavin Shah of Columbus, Ohio, Ashley Bowman of Grand Rapids; six great-grandchildren, Peter, Stellan and Remy Bowman, Jace and Keaton Olson and Orissa Shah; two sisters, Myra & Bob Smalley of Largo, Florida, Eva Schans of Frankenmuth; several nieces, nephews and Jims Chihuahua, Moe.