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James Dugald Mines, 76, of Ada, passed away peacefully at home under the loving care of his family on June 2, 2023.
Jim was born on July 9, 1946 to Walter and Margaret (McLean) Mines in Detroit, Michigan. After Jim graduated from Walled Lake High School in 1964, he went on to study at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University to earn his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.
On September 29, 1979 he married Tammy Rae Seeman in Joliet, Illinois. Shortly after their marriage, Jim and Tammy moved to Saudi Arabia where Jim worked as a chemical engineer for Aramco. They spent the next five years traveling the world and starting their family. He also earned his master’s degree in managerial economics through the University of Oklahoma during this time. In 1984, Jim and Tammy moved back to Michigan and opened a printing business which they would run successfully for the next 25 years. Ever the entrepreneur, Jim and Tammy purchased additional printing/graphic arts companies as well as an auto-body shop. Throughout the years, Jim and his family were active members of and enjoyed the fellowship of the community at Northbrook Presbyterian Church in Beverly Hills, Michigan. During that time, he served as an Elder and for a time was the chair of the church finance and house & grounds committees, and enthusiastically participated in various mission trips.
Always the engineer, Jim constantly had a list of projects he was working on. From building the family cottage on Pearl Lake in 1996, designing and finishing a number of family homes to most recently, the two story playhouse for his grandson; Jim’s love for design and building projects never slowed down. Jim also loved travel and adventure. Some of his favorite trips included Hawaii with his family, hiking to Machu Picchu, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro (at the age of 60!), and visiting his ancestral home of Scotland.
Jim was preceded in his death by his father, mother, and his sister, Margaret (Mines) Gausden, brother-in-law, William Gausden, and sister-in-law, Judy (Bush) Mines.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Tammy (Seeman); his brother, Richard Mines; sister, Linda (Wayne) LeVasseur; his four children, Adam, Paul, Elizabeth (Christopher) Collison, and Shawn; and grandson, Jack. He will also be missed by many cousins, nieces, and nephews; as well as his faithful companion Molly.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at 11:00 am at Forest Hills Presbyterian Church, 7495 Cascade Rd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Michigan, or Northbrook Presbyterian Church (northbrookpc.org).
To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Jim’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com
Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care.
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We were also sad to hear about the Mines’ family huge loss. Jim was such an adventurous man, and a loving family person all the way!
I had the fortune to meet Jim in 1985, and fortunately my office was in the same building as one of their printing companies. With a quick connection to both Tammy and Jim, their business became my work home away from home. I got to know them both while they grew their family and traveled the globe.
We stayed connected as they lived in-and-out of the state, usually miles away, but always close in hearts and minds. We always enjoyed their annual family letters, mostly penned by Jim. We send our love to Tammy and the “APES,” including Christopher, and now little Jack, and wish the best for all of you while moving forward without your dear Jim.
We were so sorry to hear of Jim’s passing. The world has lost a great, energetic, creative thinker and builder whose quick wit and dry sense of humor made him a blast to be with. Jim was a friend whose word and commitment you could take to the bank. Few come even close to Jim! RIP my good friend. Ted and Pam Soto
I am so sorry, Tammy. Although I didn’t know James, you mentioned him frequently and I know he was a great loss to his family. I’m glad you have had a wonderful life with many adventures.
We go back to 8th grade -say 1959 -except for a 3-year hiatus when he moved away from South Redford after sophomore year. We ran into each other on the street in Ann Arbor in January of ‘69 but didn’t reconnect until we both attended summer classes that year and were assigned rooms on the same hallway. Lots of good memories through the years, though somehow we always chose to see movies that neither of us liked (Death in Venice, A Clockwork Orange, etc.). Very sa to think that Jack will not know his Grandpa Jim.