James Robert Hastings

James Robert Hastings, 63, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away on Sunday at home, unexpectedly, from natural causes.

James was born in Cuba, NY and was only there for 3 months before his parents moved the family to Michigan. He grew up in Grand Rapids, graduating from Central High School. He worked most of his career in the manufacturing industry. He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and overall outdoorsman, and had a deep love for nature and "up north". He was known as a free spirt, wildman, and gentle soul combined. He loved animals, dogs in particular, and had many pets over the years. He was a talented artist, with scenic oil paintings as his most recent medium. He was a story teller, devoted to his family's heritage. He loved live music and kept a list of 66 big name concerts he had attended.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Phyllis Hastings, sister Nancy Hansen, brothers Terry, Bruce, David and William Hastings, and his dog Zip.

He had no children and is survived by his sister Darlene (Mike) Cogan, sisters-in-law Martha Hastings, Laura Hastings, and Sue Hastings, brother-in-law Pat Hansen, his dog Bandit, and a long list of nieces, nephews, and their familes that will miss their Uncle Jimmy.

There will be a private memorial gathering to celebrate James' life, with a date t.b.d.