James Allen Brocklehurst

James Allen "Jim" Brocklehurst, age 93, of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan passed away peacefully as he was called to his heavenly home on Saturday, November 7, 2015. His final few days were spent at War Memorial Hospital where he was surrounded by his loving family and was given wonderful care by the hospital staff. Jim was born on June 16, 1922 in Detroit, Michigan, to James and Alma (Evans) Brocklehurst. He graduated from New Hudson High School in 1940. He enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1942 during World War II. He flew P-51 Mustangs with the 352nd Fighter Group escorting bombers into Germany. His missions were flown out of Bodney, England, and then later out of airfields in Belgium. After the war's end, he was discharged and returned home to Michigan. In 1946 Jim moved to the UP to the Bayside Farm & Lodge on the North shore of the Munoscong Bay in Barbeau. He logged the 2200 acres using a team of horses, then after two years progressed to using a bulldozer. Jim's career transitioned into a self-employed heavy equipment operator, excavating projects included the rock cut, Poe Lock, Rotary Island, Kincheloe AFB housing and numerous other projects in the EUP. Additionally, after discovering a gravel pit on his property, he operated a gravel business on 15 Mile Rd. Jim sold his heavy equipment in 1970 and became the Executive Director of the Soo Sheltered Workshop where he remained in that position for eight years. He returned to heavy equipment operating for a year before his final career with the MI Dept. of Corrections. Starting in Maintenance at KCF, he then took the training at age 57 to become a Corrections Officer. Jim became a crew supervisor taking his crews "Brock's Beavers" for work details and brush clean up in the Soo area, finally retiring in October of 1989. He married the love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Holt, on January 31, 1953 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sault Ste.Marie. Jim became a member of Immanuel holding many positions on the church council throughout the years. When the church moved to the current location on Washington Way, he did the excavation for the property. Jim was a member of the VFW Post #3676, and the American Legion Post #3. Jim enjoyed playing golf, hunting, playing cards and games. He even scored a perfect hand of 29 in a game of Cribbage! Most important to him, was spending time with family and friends. Jim and Marybeth enjoyed traveling in the winter months to Brownsville, TX and other states. Jim enjoyed life to the fullest and was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone, always looking for projects to assist with in any way possible. Jim is survived by his loving wife: MaryBeth Brocklehurst; five children: Nancy (Tom) Chadwick of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Betsy (Al) Tester of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, Dan (Mary Ellen) Brocklehurst of Charlotte, MI, Patty Brocklehurst of Charlotte, MI, and Barb (Craig) Correll of Mohrsville, PA; eight grandchildren: Alison (Mike) Kasprzak, Chris (Bethany) Rodenroth, Brian Rodenroth, Julie Chadwick, Jamie Chadwick, Sara (Dustin) Hall, Jerod Brocklehurst and Megan Brocklehurst; four great-grandchildren: Joseph, Jacob and Annalise Kasprzak, and Ryan Rodenroth. Jim is also survived by a brother; Robert Brocklehurst of Myerstown, PA and sister-in-law Lillian Holt of Sault Ste. Marie, MI, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in Jim's death were his parents; and two sisters: Dorothy Hopp McKinley, and Matilda "Tillie" Calkins. To celebrate Jim's life, a visitation will be held at C.S. Mulder Funeral Home on Thursday, November 12, 2015 from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM. Funeral Service will be held at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 605 Washington Way, on Friday, November 13 at 1:00 PM. Friends may call at the church on Friday from 12:00 PM until the time of service. Jim will be laid to rest in a Christian burial at Oaklawn Chapel Gardens immediately following the service. Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Jeffrey Grundmeier. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, UP Honor Flight, or the War Memorial Hospital Cancer Care Center.

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James Allen Brocklehurst

June 16, 1922 - November 7, 2015