James was born July
20, 1935 in Bay City, the son of Lewis Mills Fenton and Eleanor Maude
(Woolfitt) Fenton. Jim was raised in Bay
City, attending Bay City Central and graduated valedictorian of the class of
1953. Jim continued his education at the
University of Michigan, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering,
class of 1957. He was very involved at
Michigan, a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity, and graduated Tau Beta Pi.
After graduating, he
and his wife, Georgiana, packed up and moved to Montana where Jim began his
graduate program in Mechanical Engineering where he taught some undergraduate courses
at Montana State University.
In the fall of 1958
Jim started his journey into the world of medicine at Wayne State University. He trained in OB-GYN at William Beaumont
Hospital in 1963-65, then after his military service, he changed to Radiology,
completing his residency in 1970 at Henry Ford Hospital.
Jim was drafted in
1966, and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, Medical Corp, at the 36th
Evacuation Hospital in Vietnam. He spent a year in Vietnam in the radiology service,
organizing everything from the radiology department, waterfront (teaching
waterskiing), to turning around the Officer's Club, and putting it back in the black.
When he was transferred back to the
states, his family joined him for another year's service at Fort Carson,
Colorado.
In 1970, Jim moved
his young family back to his hometown of Bay City, where he began practicing
with Bay Radiological Consultants, P.C., a group he stayed with for the rest of
his medical career, providing radiology services for the Tolfree Memorial and
Gladwin Area Hospitals; and three Bay City hospitals - Mercy, Samaritan, and General (which later formed
Bay Medical Center). He served as Chief
of Staff from 1986-89 at Bay Medical Center.
It was in Bay City
that he began his political and masonic careers. Jim held his position as City Commissioner of
the 2nd Ward for three terms, '72-'78. He also began his Masonic
membership joining Bay City Lodge #129 F. & AM., following his father's
footsteps into Masonry. He also joined the Scottish Rite Council, Valley of Bay
City.
On moving to Leland he transferred, to
Northport Lodge #265 where he served as Worshipful Master in 2008-2009. While in Bay City Jim was also involved in
many different organizations and activities including: Community Concert Band (Second Wind), Bay Area
United Way, Torch Club of Saginaw Valley, Saginaw Club, BPOE No. 88, and the
Allen Medical Building Board of Directors.
Professionally, Jim
was also involved in many different areas. He held positions with the Bay County Medical Society,
Michigan State Medical Society, American Medical Association, Saginaw Valley
Radiological Society, Michigan Radiological Society, American College of
Radiology, Physicians Insurance Company of Michigan, and was a member, and then
President, of the Michigan Board of Medicine.
Jim and Georgiana
retired to Leland in 1995. He quickly became
involved in the Leland Country Club, Leland Yacht Club as a board member and
Commodore, Cherryland High Twelve Club #400, Leland Township Fire Board and
ShareCare of Leelanau, where he served as a board member, treasurer and volunteer
driver.
During his lifetime,
Jim was always involved in the life of the Methodist Churches in which he was a
member. In Bay City, Jim was a member of
the Madison Avenue United Methodist Church. In that church, he enjoyed being a member of
the choir, T n T group, and served on many committees and campaigns. In Leland, he and his family attended the
Leland Community United Methodist Church. There he was a member of the bell choir,
various committees and campaigns, and again served on the Finance Committee as
he had in Bay City.
Jim was a caring
son, loving husband, wonderful father, great brother, mentor, and someone who
was there for anyone that needed advice, counsel, or simply some help with
neighborly tasks.
Jim is survived by
his wife of 57 years, Georgiana; his daughters, Georgiana (Bill) Vailliencourt,
Jennifer (Andrew Powell) Fenton; a brother, George (Joan) Rogers; five grandchildren,
James and Elizabeth Vana, Andrew, Matthew and Emily Vailliencourt.
Visitation will be
held from 11 - noon on Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. Burial will
follow at 1 p.m. in Beechwood Cemetery,
Leland. Rev. David Hofmann will
officiate, followed by a Masonic Service.
A memorial service
will also be announced next summer.
In lieu of flowers,
contributions may be made to Wayne State University Medical School, c/o University Fund Office, 5475
Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202 or to the charity of your choice.
Please share
thoughts and memories with James’ family online at www.martinson.info
Arrangements are
with the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.
