"Greetings!" Family and friends will miss this warm signature salutation of James Bruce Verlinde who passed away on Tuesday, September 20th, 2022. Born in Charlotte, Michigan, on May 28th, 1945, Jim was 77 years old.

Always putting family first, Jim will be loved and cherished forever by his wife Susan; sons James (Traci), Mark (Vonnie), Brian (Becky), and Daniel (Heidi); grandchildren Maddie, Brant, Sydney, Lauren, Noah, Reese, Avery, Logan, Molly, Anson, Ryan, and Jacob; beloved dog Hollie; and sisters Mary (John), Ruth, and Nancy. He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law.

Jim lived his belief in giving back to the community, serving in the Middleville Lions Club, on the Thornapple Kellogg school board, on the St. Augustine parish council, and as a coach in Thornapple Kellogg Youth Baseball where he was instrumental in constructing the program's fields. He was also proud to participate in a number of MSU Gran Fondos and other charity rides and walks with his family. Jim spent most of his career in the auto business, retiring from Kool Toyota in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

A man of many diverse interests, over the years Jim engaged in golf, softball, photography, birdwatching, DIY projects, and over 20 years of crafting beer and spending time with his friends in the PrimeTime Brewers homebrewing club. And, of course, Jim was eternally a fan of the Detroit Tigers and the sports teams of his alma mater Michigan State.

On Friday, November 25th, 2022, visitation will be held beginning at 11:00 AM at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 2750 Burton Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI, followed by a funeral Mass at noon. A Celebration of Life open house will be held the same day from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Thornapple Brewing Company, 6262 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Spectrum Health Hospice (spectrumhealth.org/services/hospice/support), CurePSP (psp.org), or St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (spagr.org).