James F. Wendell Jr. ’63
James F. Wendell Jr. ’63 of Traverse City, Michigan, died December 27, 2013. The cause was intestinal and kidney problems, according to friend Bruce Nichols ’63. Jim was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of the late James F. Wendell ’34, and graduated from East Grand Rapids High School, where he was class president and excelled in football, basketball and golf. At Dartmouth Jim was a member of the Tabard/Sigma Chi and played freshman golf. After college Jim married and joined a Grand Rapids bank. When his father died unexpectedly, Jim took over the family insurance business, of which he knew very little. “The pressure and reliance on alcohol resulted in a breakdown that led to a divorce,” Nichols said. Jim loved playing golf, watching sports and spending time with his family, friends and beloved dogs. “Life didn’t deal Jim a great hand to play,” said Nichols. “He was gifted with a big heart, great sense of humor and the guts to face his human frailties and bring order to his life. Jim was a good friend who made the Hanover Plain a bit more fun for those who knew him.” Jim was preceded in death by wives Sharon and Sandra and daughter Kimberly. He is survived by sister Nancy, children Deborah, Jeffrey, Angela, Brian, Melissa, Kenneth and Carissa and 11 grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Cherryland Human Society, Traverse City, and AA Traverse City.
