James "Jim" Grant

James “Jim” Grant, 66, of Mesick, Michigan, died November 5, 2025. He was born October 7, 1959, in Detroit, Michigan, to Richard Lee and Barbara Ann (Kolen) Grant.

Jim grew up in Detroit with his incredible family of six siblings and so many friendships. Jim married his wife, Tracy, on September 22, 1996, in Raven Café Northville, Michigan. They had four amazing children in Detroit. Jim and Tracy moved to Mesick in 2000 for wide open spaces. After a house fire in 2002, Jim built a stunning 2-story home for his family to thrive in.

He attended college at Schoolcraft College, NMC, and Ferris State University. Jim was a natural baby whisperer; you could find him at every family gathering with a baby in his arms, soothed and giggling. He loved all music, especially live music. Jim was a helper, educator, and could always be found with a big smile on long walks down the Arcadia Marsh Boardwalk Trail. He grew abundant plants, especially large avocado trees, that he miraculously sprouted from a grocery store seed. He was an ever talented man, who constantly had new hobbies, whether it be his love for baking fresh bread, sailing his boat, or discussing the ever-expanding world of science fiction and mathematics. He was the type of man who would drop everything to be with the people he loved.

Jim was self-employed for most of his adult life. He spent his career mastering carpentry so he could build homes from scratch for his family and community. He had a paint and wallpaper company in Detroit and a recording studio in our family home. He was a musician whose music radiated through many cafes, parks, and festivals. He sang songs and played guitar with his good friends in their classic rock band, “Who Cares?” or solo as James Grant.

Jim volunteered at Maritime Heritage Alliance for several years helping with woodworking and sailing the tall ships. He was a participant in the ACLU, a donor for IPR, and was part of the Michigan Lung Cancer organization after a diagnosis of double lung cancer in 2020.

He is survived by his wife, Tracy Grant; children, Sarah (Zach)Western-Grant, Maya (Simrit Jhita) Grant, Ian Grant, Dylan Grant; Best friends, Dave, Paul, Dan, Kathleen and Doug; siblings, John Grant, Carol Grant, Ken Grant; many cousins; nieces and nephews, Justin, Keith, Nathan, Kyle, Sean, Derek, Patty B Lance, Heather, Cassie, Dawn, Tom, Michelle, Matthew, Michael, Oliver, Ben, Sam, Ryan, Avery & Aubrey. In his final moments, Jim was surrounded by his family and left this world with music, tears, and joy.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Barbara Grant; brothers, Richard Grant, William Grant; and sister, Claudia Sheldon.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cowell Cancer Center, Maritime Heritage Alliance, and/or Cherryland Humane Society in Jim’s memory. A celebration of his Life will be held in early 2026 summer. Please visit www.lifestorytc.com to share your thoughts and more.