James Demijohn

I totally agree with what my sister, Molly DePrekel, said about Jim. I believe Jim had a special gift of listening to our elders and making them feel comfortable. When I would visit my mom, Jim would be sitting there chatting with her or playing some sort of game. Thank you Jim & rest in peace.

I appreciated how good Jim was with mom Dottie D. He always made time for her and was patient when she struggled with her memory. I do believe she is now giving you a good talking to up in heaven. Thanks for your love of my mom and my brother D...Jim

I first met Jim in junior high at Webber School, and he was a character. I then ran in to him at Delta College, where we became fraternity brothers at Phi Sigma Beta. He then seem to always pick on me for something. He was always way bigger (physically) than myself. When I moved to Ann Arbor, he would come down to visit and usually spend the night. He was an excellent chef, so the meals he cooked were always really good. When I moved back to Mid-Michigan, we were in communication, but after awhile, it sort-of ended, and didn't know where he was anymore. Rest in peace, Jim.

I first met Jim in the 1970s when I started dating my husband Terry. In those days he was a “character” who lived life a bit on the edge, yet he was an excellent bridge player. A late bloomer, he eventually joined the Merchant Marine and brought some discipline to his life that was further enhanced when he completed a degree from one of the best culinary schools in the country. Along with a sense of pride, this gained him a position as chef on the yacht of a family whose home graced the cover of Architectural Digest. Not bad for a late bloomer. Some things I will remember most about Jim are his perpetual sense of curiosity and wonder with the world; his wicked sense of humor- even with my husband’s grandmother; the twinkle in his eye when displaying that humor; and, though he had no children of his own, his continual interest in the lives and progress of our children. Rest in peace, Jim. Your friends on the other side are going to get a great meal tonight, and they won’t need to look for a fourth for bridge.