James Henry Carr

He was preceded in death by his wife: Dianne (Burmester) Carr, parents: Charles and Betty, and brother: John.

He is survived by his siblings: Charles and Lorraine, three children: Aaron, Dillon, and Cassidy and five grandchildren: Aiden, Scotty, Raena, Hannah, and Olivia.

James was born in L’Anse, Michigan, on March 26, 1951. After graduating high school, James attended Michigan Technological University for civil engineering, but left school early to pursue the practical application of civil engineering. He spent the majority of his career as a construction foreman for A. Lindberg and Sons Inc. in Ishpeming, Michigan. The public infrastructure across the Upper Peninsula is better off for his efforts.

The most impactful summer of his life was in 1973, when James took a job working in the kitchen of the Murray Hotel on Mackinac Island. It was during that magical summer on the island that he met the love of his life Dianne and the two quickly became inseparable. After marrying March 1 the following year, the couple settled in Diorite, Michigan where they raised their three children and cultivated a warm, welcoming home together. Dianne tragically passed away from cancer after 30 years of marriage and James never fully recovered from the loss. He was still wearing his wedding ring when he passed away.

James (aka Jimmy) was an avid reader and his children greatly appreciated growing up in a house full of books. Although generally a quiet man, Jimmy was renowned for capturing an audience’s attention with his tall tales about being rescued by world record crappies, stalked by bears, or providing an authoritative lesson on physics. He also loved spending time at his camp on Lake Ruth and was an excellent BBQ chef.

His children will be hosting a celebration of life for dad on Monday, June 26 from 5-8pm at the Ely Township Hall (1555 Co Rd 496, Ishpeming, MI).