James Robert Brandt

James Robert Brandt, age 64, of Hessel, Michigan, died Saturday, June 6, 2015 at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City, Michigan after a long battle with cancer. He was born May 28, 1951 in Bay City, Michigan, to Robert Paul and Beatrice Eloise (Bell) Brandt. Jim grew up in the Bay City/Auburn area. He married Nancy Kathleen Grove on October 27, 1973 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Auburn where they lived until January 1993 when they made Hessel their home. Jim was a hard worker who worked continuously until his illness forced him to slow down. Jim enjoyed many activities. He especially enjoyed spending time with family and friends where many memories and stories were shared. He loved camping and he and Nancy hosted annual 4th of July gatherings with family and friends where as many as 90 people would camp out in their yard. He enjoyed just sitting back and watching how everyone enjoyed the times spent together. When the last visitor pulled out of the driveway, he would often remark to Nancy with misty eyes that he already missed everyone. Jim was a lifelong fan of the Detroit Tigers. He loved listening to old time country music and especially enjoyed gatherings with Barb and Mike LeVasseur where they drank beer and played music for hours. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping gardening, and canning, often with his children and grandchildren. His grandson, Tyler held a special place in Jim’s heart as they shared many hunting and fishing stories and debates. Tyler was always there to help with his grandpa’s care and was recently instrumental in assisting the home health caregiver for Jim. He was blessed with two young granddaughters, Ava and Lily, who he delighted in watching grow and learn new things. He also missed his older grandchildren, Michael and Cortney, who he treasured as they grew up but hasn’t seen lately. Jim leaves behind his wife, Nancy; children, Jamie Alan Brandt (fiancé, Renee Watson) of Kinross, Michigan, Tanya Marie Brandt of Cedarville, Michigan, and Courtney Lynn Brandt (husband, Anthony) Ayotte of Bay City; grandchildren, Tyler Zachary Brandt, Ava Lynn Ayotte, Lily Ann Ayotte, Michael Brandt and Cortney Brandt Kinney; and four great grandchildren. Jim is also survived by six of his seven siblings, Rosemary Brandt (Dave) Loomis, Linda Brandt (Bruce) Nestle, Russell Brandt, Thomas (Tina Shelby) Brandt, Sandra Brandt, and Daniel (Jill Woods) Brandt, all of the Auburn/Bay City area. He also has ten in-laws who were like siblings to him as well, Paul (Rose Hiltz) Grove, Pamela Grove (Gary Sr.) Ballard, Wanda Grove (Howard) Sadlak, John (Joanie Malport) Grove, Connie Grove (Chester) Sayles, Gladys Grove (Sy) Syring of Kincheloe, Linda Grove (Larry) Bartlett, Robert Grove, Ronald Grove, and Duane (Priscilla Perry) Grove; and many nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Beatrice; in-laws, John and Gladys (Doan) Grove; and brother, Richard “Dick” Brandt Visitation will be held Friday, June 12 from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. and Saturday, June 13 from 9:00 A.M. until 10:00 A.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home, 24549 S. M-129 in Pickford, Michigan. Funeral services will be held Saturday, June 13 at 10:00 A.M. at R. Galer Funeral Home with Pastor Breanna Johnson conducting the service. Burial will be in Rockview Cemetery in Marquette Township, Michigan. Memorials may be made to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 1025 S. Union St., Traverse City, MI 49684. Jim's family greatly appreciated the help the church provided while Jim was hospitalized in Traverse City.

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James Robert Brandt

May 28, 1951 - June 6, 2015