James Edgar “Jim” Grudt met his maker on June 30, 2022, at age 88.

Jim was born to Edgar Christian Grudt and Ellen Mattison on May 24, 1934, in Menomonee, Wisconsin. He enjoyed growing up in this developing college town with family and friends. In his free time, he liked to fish and high dive off the train bridges in town. The family later moved to Detroit, Michigan where Jim attended high school at Cass Tech.

Jim met his wife, Clara Marlou Stack, in May of 1956. They were gathered with friends at a neighborhood bar, Doug and Mary’s (Jake’s Place) on the lakes. They married on February 2, 1957, and went on to have three children, Larry, Mark, and Laurie. Starting off their marriage in Dearborn, they later bought a home in Taylor and finally settled in Livonia, Michigan in 1965.

Before starting his career, Jim proudly served in the Army as Military Police at the end of the Korean conflict. He even acted as a personal guard for Debbie Reynolds on a USO tour. After returning to the states, he worked as a body design illustrator, first for GM for a short time and then at Ford Motor Company for 35 years. During his career, he was a lead on many projects and taught CAD/CAM at Schoolcraft College. On the Monday after his retirement, he returned to his desk working as a consultant for several more years. When not working, he spent his time with family, coached Little League, and worked on projects big and small around their home. He even built the family’s garage and family room addition. He also loved his involvement with their church family and held various roles such as youth group leader and treasury council. He golfed throughout his adult years and even fulfilled one of his dreams of attending the Masters Tournament at Augusta. He was always fond of traveling, whether to see family around the US or exploring abroad in Great Britain, Europe, and South America. In later years he enjoyed being a part of the Swedish Club in Farmington Hills, even though he was proudly 100% Norwegian. Most people will remember Jim best for his fun-loving sense of humor. Throughout his life, his family gave him purpose and meaning along with an unwavering, quiet faith in God.

Jim joins his parents, Edgar and Ellen, and his sister, Mildred “Sally” (Gordon), and brother, Donald (Gladys), in Heaven. He is survived by his wife, Marlou, his brother, Richard (Loretta), his children, Larry (Beth), Mark, Laurie (Martin), his grandchildren, Brandon (Chandra), Michael, and Melaina, his great-grandchildren, Hudson, Adalyn, and Carson, as well as many dear nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Thayer-Rock Funeral Home, 33603 Grand River Avenue, Farmington, Michigan, on Friday, July 8, 2022, from 4:00 to 9:00pm and on Saturday, July 9, 2022, from 10:00-11:00am at St. John Lutheran Church, 23225 Gill Road, Farmington Hills, Michigan. Service will begin at 11:00am at St. John Lutheran Church, followed by interment at Glen Eden Memorial Park, 35667 Eight Mile Road, Livonia, Michigan, and a luncheon at St. John Lutheran Church. Refreshments will be served at St. John Lutheran Church immediately following the service for those guests not attending the interment. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to your favorite charity.