James "Jim" Robert Workman, 85, went to be with his Lord on January 10, 2024, with his family by his side.

He was born in Muskegon on Nov. 29, 1938 to James and Joyce Workman and was raised along with his two sisters and a brother there until he graduated from Western Michigan Christian, where he sparked a lifelong interest in advocating for Christian education. Jim went on to attend Calvin College and then was drafted and served in the Army at Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia.

On June 16, 1961, Jim married Mary Schrovenwever and after finishing his service, they moved to Grand Rapids where they raised two children, Susan and John.

Over the course of his career, Jim owned and operated several businesses. The first 20 years of his working life were spent at Keeler Brass where he rose to the position of Vice President of Manufacturing. Jim was a man of deep faith and was a long-time member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church, where he served as both a deacon and elder throughout the years.

Jim was a smart businessman who was thoughtful and humble, but who also had a competitive nature and was always up for an adventure. He especially loved the water, whether he was sailing on it, fly fishing in it or simply taking in a Florida sunset over it. His competitiveness was fed by sailing as part of a crew in more than 25 Chicago to Mackinac races, and numerous other races around the world. He and Mary traveled extensively, always open to exploring new places and meeting interesting people. Some of his favorites included a safari in Africa, a barge trip in Croatia, skiing in Colorado and fly fishing on the Big Horn in Montana and bone fishing in the Seychelles.

Jim's greatest joy was his grandchildren and he never missed a play, a concert, a tennis or golf match. Family meant everything to him.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents. Surviving are his wife Mary, daughter and son-in-law Susan and Rob Stafford, son and daughter-in-law John and Becky Workman, grandchildren Brendan and Kelly Stafford, Tyler Stafford, Adam Workman, Charlotte Workman, his sisters Janice Clark and Judy (Al) Henderson, and his brother John (Linda) Workman.

A visitation will be held at 3 p.m. on Jan. 22 at Calvin Christian Reformed Church, 700 Ethel Avenue SE, Grand Rapids with a service at 4 p.m. and a reception following. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for consideration of donations to the Christian Education Endowment Fund at Calvin Christian Reformed Church.