James “Jim” Culverhouse

November 26th, 1937 - September 6th, 2024

James's Memory Wall

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I am sad that I just saw this and was not able to be at his service. What a great guy full of spirit and wisdom! He was always kind to me and I loved catching up when we would see each other. He was a great influence on me and a great dad to his awesome kids. I am so sorry Deniece. I owe you a giant hug when I see you hopefully soon. I'm comforted by the thought of he and Greg together again. I know my dad loved his popcorn so maybe there are some kernels in heaven. You will be missed my friend!

Chris and Carrie Adams

September 30th, 2024 at 10:01am

I was already to come to Jim's service this morning and my RA isn't cooperating at all!! I wanted to visit you Melodie and Denice!! I feel so blessed that apx 8 weeks ago I went for my infusion and sat down next ti Jim and he smiled and sad hi and we started a conversation and realized who each of us were and had a really good laugh and visit!! We laughed about the fun all of us had in Blossomtime with everyone and solved the worlds problems!!! LOL. Also was able to visit with you too Melodie, I left that morning and realized how lucky I felt to have the precious time of visiting with both of you!!!! I'm hoping we can get together later to visit! Please know that you both are in my prayers for peace and comfort!! Jim always had a smile, was kind and caring!!! Heaven received and angel and may he RIP! Sending hugs and love to you both!! God Bless Char

Charlene Hulsey-Harbin

September 10th, 2024 at 10:14am

My sincere condolences to you Melodie and to all of the family and friends that Jim had. As you probably remember, I have known Jim since I was about 14. Greg was my good friend in high school and Jim was quite skeptical about me and everything I did. For good reason. I was quite a little knucklehead. Not very smart, semi feral, and quite reckless. Jim wasn't very happy about my bad influence on Greg, though often the bad influence flowed both ways. His fatherly instinct kicked in immediately and he knew I was probably not the ideal friend he wanted for his son. Despite Jim's skepticism he always had a word of encouragement for me and likely some sort of caution or other attempt at setting a boundary. And despite his skepticism I always knew that he cared, even if he wasn't the most tender about how he expressed himself. Despite appearances, I always listened. I usually disregarded what he said but I always listened. I didn't have many boundaries in my life back then and I certainly didn't have much common sense. So my discussions with Jim, I'll refrain from calling them lectures from Jim, were a different sort of experience for me. And in an odd way, although we were both skeptical of each other, We finally settled into a pretty close relationship of mutual skepticism. I wish I could say he was like a father to me but we honestly didn't get that close. Maybe I could say that he was like an uncle. And we certainly had a relationship though it was a bit odd. We had discussed my lifestyle and his disapproval so many times that we could just make a quick reference to one of our previous conversations and make a point. There was lots of sarcasm involved. A perfect way for us to communicate. Jim was always patient with me. Likely much more patient than I would be if someone like my past self were a friend of my son's. So he became a strong influence in my life at a time when I most certainly needed one. And I think he planted some seeds in my rock hard head that finally sprouted and started bearing fruit many years later. I hope that he knew that all of the time he had spent crafting expressions of disapproval and also support had not gone to waste. After I had left the Army and finished college and grad school and law school I was lucky enough to run into Jim again. He and Melodie would come to East Lansing where I live to enjoy an MSU game. He was happy to meet my son and my wife and always so authentically happy for how things were turning out for me. I was very lucky to have known Jim Culverhouse. He was a solid presence in an otherwise chaotic world for me when I needed it. His sarcasm was perfect; exactly the language it took to get into my thick head. He was always gracious and friendly and always welcomed me into his home. He always made it clear I was part of the family, even if I might be the part that would better be chained outside to a tree. That's a bit harsh I think. He would have never thought that or said it. That is more likely my perspective. Jim was a wonderful man. He was smart and giving and hard-working. He stood up for what he believed in. He took care of his family and friends. He always had time to help someone or say a kind word. I'm very grateful that I had the opportunity to know him just as I'm grateful that his son that's one of my best friends. I will certainly never forget Jim or the influence that he had on my life when I was young and troubled and confused. I hope that I am lucky enough to be a Jim Culverhouse kind of good influence on some young man someday who needs it.