James Gordon Buick, 92, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away on February 17, 2025 in Grand Rapids, MI.

Jim was born on September 9, 1932 to Hazel and Gordon Buick in Beecher City, Illinois. After graduating from Dundee High School, he went on to study at Greenville College in Greenville, IL and graduated in 1954.

It was at Greenville that Jim met and fell in love with Betty King. They were married September 11, 1952 and were with each other through all of life's ups and downs for 72 years.

Just before graduating from Greenville, Jim began working in accounting for Dearborn Machinery Movers. It was during this time that he began his MBA program at the University of Michigan, receiving his degree in the summer of 1960. In the summer of 1959, Jim began work as a financial analyst in the Ford Division Controller's office for Ford Motor Co. He was with Ford until 1975, rising through the ranks to Controller of the Lincoln-Mercury division.

After Ford, Jim had a brief stint as the deputy corporate controller for Clark Equipment Co., in Buchanan, MI. After a year, he joined the Brunswick Corp. in Skokie, IL, as the corporate controller, later becoming vice president of the corporation. He worked at Brunswick from 1976 to 1984. In the summer of 1984, Jim moved to Grand Rapids where he served as the President of the Zondervan Corp. from 1984 to 1993.

Jim was deeply involved in the church throughout his lifetime. He served as a leader on many boards including, Dearborn Free Methodist Church, Dearborn School Board, Spring Arbor University, Calvary Church, William C Abney Academy, Holland Home, and Greatland Corporation. He was a mentor and trusted confidant in business and personal life planning for many organizations and individuals. Jim was always generous with time and treasures. He and Betty opened their home to missionaries, college students, and others in need.

Vacations, holiday celebrations, and shared meals were highlights. Jim treasured extended family vacations, often on Christmas break. The family had the privilege of going together to several special locations, including Bermuda, Hilton Head, Arizona, and Florida. He also enjoyed traveling extensively and went to many places around the world on business and personal travel with Betty and friends.

Jim was a wonderful father who taught his family to love Jesus, to be dependable, to have integrity, and to work hard. Jim loved his family. He was a dedicated husband, father, and friend. He was always loyal, dependable, and trustworthy.

Jim and Betty had three children: Greg (Val), Bob (Becky) and Julaine (Steve) Swithers. Sadly, in November of 2023, Julaine proceeded Jim in death. Jim and Betty's 10 grandchildren include, Peiter (Dayle) Buick, Noah Buick, Nicole (Matt) Brown, David (Emily) Buick, Rachel (Michael) Hansen, Sam (Caitlyn) Swithers, Becca Swithers, Jacob Swithers, Isaac Swithers, and Josiah (Ashley) Swithers; and his 16 great grandchildren include Aine and Aurelia Buick, Caleb, Joshua, Micah, Eli, Selah, Ezekiel, Judah, and Joseph Brown, Adeline and Nora Buick, and Ophelia and August Swithers.

In addition to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, Jim is survived by Betty, his wife of 72 years; Nancy Willie, his sister, who lives in Georgia; and Marvin (Ebby) King, his brother-in-law, who lives in Grand Rapids.

In memory of Jim's life of philanthropy and his long-standing honor for human life at all stages, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Pregnancy Resource Center, Grand Rapids, MI, 415 Cherry Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

A memorial service to celebrate Jim's life will be held on Friday, April 25 at Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. Visitation will be held at 9:45 a.m. with a memorial service for Jim's life immediately following at 10:30 a.m.