James Leland Packard (Jim)
James “Jim” Leland Packard passed away peacefully on Oct. 30, 2021, at Munson Hospice House with the love of his life, Nel, at his side. Jim was born March 12, 1949, in Detroit, the third child of Willard C. Packard, Sr. and Carol J. (Kruzynski) Packard.
The family moved to the suburb of Southfield in the early 1950s when it was still mostly farms and orchards. Jim enjoyed cruising Woodward Avenue and going to Edgewater Park with friends. Throughout high school and beyond, Jim worked at many odd jobs including his father’s electric company, a cabinet making company, and even a stint at Dunkin’ Donuts. Jim graduated from Southfield High School in 1967 and went on to Eastern Michigan University to earn his bachelor’s in philosophy. He always said that the late 60s/early 70s were an amazing time to be alive.
After college, Jim moved “up north” to Gaylord and later to Frederick. During this time, he loved fly fishing and canoeing on the Au Sable River. His family also had a treasured cabin, “Chinwhiskers” in the area. Jim started out as a respiratory therapist at Mercy Hospital in Grayling and worked his way up in the hospital business from there. By the early 1980s, he had earned his master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan university. He still found time to play many rounds of Candyland and chess with his daughters while he worked as an administrator for both Grayling and Cadillac Mercy hospitals.
In the late 1980s, Jim and family moved to Northport, where he was the administrator of Leelanau Memorial Hospital. Family trips to Peterson Park, Happy Hour Tavern, Leelanau Trails, and Gull Island are just a few of the precious memories. Jim later resided within Leelanau County in Lake Leelanau and Suttons Bay. He went on to become the Property Manager at Munson Hospital in Traverse City. During his years living in Leelanau County, Jim especially enjoyed boating and golfing. The whole family attended Michigan Hospital Association conferences on Mackinac Island every June, making memories at the Grand Hotel and around the island. Jim and Nel also frequented Cancun and even won a dance contest there. After retirement, Jim loved spending his winters in Vero Beach, Fla., attending Broadway productions and relaxing near the beach with family.
Jim’s lifelong passions included reading (Stephen King, James Patterson, and Harlan Coben were favorites along with shopping at Horizon Books in Traverse City), music (favorites included the Moody Blues and Frank Sinatra), Lord of the Rings, and Star Trek. He was also an avid fan of Jeopardy. Jim enjoyed grilling steaks and burgers and cooking breakfast, spaghetti, or his famous chicken enchiladas. He also loved a good single malt scotch.
Survivors include Nelsine Jacobsen, Jim’s loving partner of over 25 years; Annie, their beloved mini dachshund; daughters Mary (Robert) Baision of Valrico, Florida, and April (Colin) Livingston of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; grandsons Lucas Baision, Finn Livingston, and Graham Livingston; sisters Gayle (Ron) D’Haeseleer and Judy Gordon; brother-in-law James Wolnosky and sister-in-law Pamela Timmons; and several nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Willard C. Packard, Jr.
Arrangements are being handled by Life Story Funeral Home in Traverse City. Burial will be in Woodlawn cemetery in Leslie, Michigan, where Jim will be at rest with five generations of his family. A celebration of life honoring Jim will be held this summer.
Published on November 4, 2021
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