James Russell Boothby, age 68 of Gobles, passed away on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at Wings of Hope hospice home in Allegan. He was born on July 19, 1956, in Paw Paw, MI, to the late Gordon and Kay (Weekes) Boothby. James was a resident of Gobles his entire life.
James worked at Perrigo in Allegan for several years and helped his father and brother’s build homes in the Paw Paw area. He joined the carpenters’ union in the1980’s where his true passion was. He worked alongside his brothers Chet, Kerry, Mike, and Randy. He loved nothing more than to show us all the places he had a hand in building such as hospitals, malls, nuclear plants, many buildings downtown Kalamazoo and was immensely proud of the historical homes he helped restore in downtown Kalamazoo as well. He made many friends in the union and everywhere he went he knew someone.
Those who knew James knew his fondness for our lake shore. If it was a nice sunny day, he loved to take a large group of family or friends and go on his favorite drive through Fennville to Douglas and Saugatuck onto his favorite road Lakeshore Drive. He loved taking fall color tours, planting red flowers, and keeping a nice yard. After retirement he really enjoyed taking vacations to see as many states as he could, and he never lost his love of playing a joke on someone.
James will be lovingly remembered and missed by his daughters, Nicole (Jason) Holland of Gobles, MI and Wendy (Michael) Blostica of Mattawan, MI; 5 grandchildren: Brandon and Hailey Holland and Morgan Boothby, Lillian and Gabriella Blostica, soon to be great granddaughter Holland; his brothers Chet (Julie) Boothby, Kerry (Patricia) Boothby, Michael Boothby, Randy Boothby, Danny (Sally) Boothby; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister-in-law, Sandy Boothby.
A celebration of James’s life will be held this summer 2025.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wings of Hope in Allegan, MI
