James Kepros

Jim Kepros was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of family and fond memories. He was a big, strong man, with an even bigger heart, a heart he shared with all those around him. More than anything, Jim was an adoring husband, brother, uncle and friend, whose love lives on today in all who knew him. Jims story began on a cold winter day in 1921, as the snows fell in Ludington, Michigan. Those were such exciting times in this country, as the Roaring 20s began, and Prohibition was law of the land. On December 14, 1921, George and Mary (Jonas) Kepros celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named James George Kepros. Jims parents were immigrants from Greece, who came to this country in search of a better life. Jims dad arrived in Ludington first, starting a restaurant and saving his money to send for his wife later. Jim was the first of the couples six children, and the only son, and was joined by sisters Olimbea, Kalipoy, Katherine, Christine and Jennie in their Ludington home. When Jim was a teenager, the family packed up and left Ludington, moving further south to Muskegon, where his father opened a restaurant on Western Avenue, Muskegons main drag downtown. They lived in a lovely home at 297 Washington Street, just a block from Muskegon High School, where Jim would graduate from in 1940. As a teenager, the hardworking Jim held a variety of different jobs, including at several restaurants around town, and as a pin-setter at the bowling alley, too. He was far from all work and no play, however. He loved fishing from an early age, and enjoyed taking his little sisters to Muskegon Lake to fish with him. The family also enjoyed trips to the beach for a summertime picnic, too. Jim was a very handsome young man, and proud of his appearance, and became interested in bodybuilding as a teenager, when it was a new and growing craze in this country. He spent time lifting weights at the YMCA, and grew into a very strong young man. His strength would soon be tested, as he entered the Navy during World War II. He served on a destroyer and an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Theater from 1944-46, when he was discharged and returned home to Muskegon. Jim found work at Continental Motors as a machinist, which was a good career for the strong, hardworking man. It was his personal life that was about to get more interesting, however. One day he met a beautiful young coworker at Continental named Eugina Jean Briggs, and fell head-over-heels for the ravishing beauty. She was taken with the strapping, handsome Jim, too, and they soon began dating. The couple was married on May 27, 1949, beginning a wonderful, lifelong romance. They shared much in common, and blended their extended families seamlessly, as well. They lived in a home on Brentwood in Norton Shores, which became the central hub for family activities, and where they always enjoyed entertaining family for holiday dinners or summertime barbecues. Jim and Jean were members of the Lakeside United Methodist Church, where they made many friends over the years. Though the couple never had children of their own, they were exceptionally close to their nieces and nephews, who Jim loved to take fishing with him over the years. The kids especially remember coming over to their house and crowding around the color TV (they had one of the first ones in the family) to watch Star Trek. Jim loved his home, and especially the huge yard they had, which he spent hours upon hours meticulously grooming. He loved working on his yard, which for him was truly a labor of love. Apart from his family, Jims greatest love was for fishing, however. He was a true outdoorsman, and enjoyed hunting, too, but fishing was his passion, especially later in life. He even kept his fishing gear in his car at all times, always ready to throw a line in the water when he had some free time. He enjoyed fishing off the channel wall on Lake Michigan, casting for salmon, steelheads and brown trout, and loved to fish up north at Jeans familys home at Dighton, near Cadillac. The couple didnt really travel much over the years, taking mostly short car trips around the state together, though they did visit the Upper Peninsula, which Jim loved. Mostly, he simply enjoyed being with Jean, his true love. Sadly, Jean died very unexpectedly in 1995, a loss he took so hard, and one he never truly recovered from. He began having health problems afterward, and in 2000 he had spinal surgery at the Cleveland Clinic which was very difficult for him. He couldnt keep up with his house afterward, and moved to the Seminole Shores Assisted Living center, where he was taken well care of by the staff there. His health improved there, and he began to enjoy it, making many friends. His family also visited him often, which always brightened his days, as well. In 2007, Jims health began to decline, and he sadly died on Wednesday night, November 21, 2007, at the age of 85. Jim was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of family and fond memories. He was a big, strong man, with an even bigger heart, a heart he shared as a husband, brother, uncle and friend. He will be so greatly missed. Jim is survived by his 3 sisters, Kaliopy (Gus) Drelles of Norton Shores, Katherine Jerelos of Norton Shores, Christine Koremenos of Wisconsin; many nieces and nephews with a special thanks to Kurt Briggs for his devotion, care and companionship to his Uncle Jim. Mr. Kepros was preceded in death by his wife Eugina in 1995 and 2 sisters, Olimbea Poulos and Jennie Prappas. Services are scheduled for Saturday, November 24, 2007, 11:00 AM at Lakeside United Methodist Church with Rev. David Selleck officiating. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation is Friday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: American Heart Association. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.