James Wolverton, 58
Born: Nov. 23, 1953
Died: Aug. 10, 2012

James Edward Wolverton, 58, was born in Dowagiac on Nov. 23, 1953. He passed into sunset on Aug. 10, 2012, in Dowagiac.

He was the third child of six children to the union of Johnnie and Alice O. (Bolden) Wolverton.

As a youth, he realized that the word of God was true and was baptized at “old” Second Baptist Church in Dowagiac.

James graduated from Union High School in Dowagiac in 1971. James enjoyed participating in track in school. He was active in pursuing knowledge.

He attended Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac. He acquired his private pilot license.

James worked at various manufacturing jobs as a laborer. He enjoyed socializing. He loved drawing and especially cartoon characters and giving these to others.

James was a proud uncle of his nephews and nieces; Howard Thomas Douglas Jr., Lamont Douglas, Tamott (Shaton) Wolverton, Chris Tharp, Marco (Jauselyn) Wolverton, Char Pritchard, Brandy Clark and Brittney Mae Wolverton; and step-nieces, Vaneka Malone and Dominique Malone.

He leaved to celebrate his life and cherish his memories: a sister, Eunice (Larry) Murray of Cassopolis; three brothers, John Mark Wolverton of Niles, Lazarus Jerome Wolverton of Edwardsburg and Bradford (Theresa) Wolverton of Dowagiac; uncles and aunts, James Lee (Margaret) Bolden of Topeka, Kan., Lueida (Calvin) Mitchell of Arlington, Va., Annie W. Johnson and Ruby Wolverton of Dowagiac and Castoria Bolden of DeRidder, La.; and Catrinka Johnson, goddaughter, of Kalamazoo.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Johnnie and Alice O. (Bolden) Wolverton, and a brother, Johnnie Wolverton Jr. He leaves a special cousin, Rebecca S. Johnson; and special friends, the Rev. Alfred Smith and Myneke Douglas; great-nephews and nieces, great-great nephews and nieces and a host of cousins and friends.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Southwest Michigan, 801 Hazen St. #A, Paw Paw, MI 49079.