James V. Picard
December 30, 1952 – December 4, 2019
A private family memorial event will be held at a later date. Those wishing to make a lasting gift in Jim’s memory are invited to remember Alcoholics Anonymous, c/o the funeral home, or the ASA Social Fund for Hidden Peoples, 1323 Fairstead Ln; Pittsburgh, PA 15217.
Obituary
Age 66, passed away on Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Jim was born on December 30, 1952, in Saginaw, MI, the son of Alexander Vincent and Katherine (Doidge) Picard. Jim was an educator and spent his career teaching in the Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor, Mattawan and Paw Paw areas. He is survived by his brother, Dr. Louis A. (Pauline Greenlick) Picard of Pittsburgh, PA; sister, Mary M. (Robert Jennings) Sarle of Venice FL; nieces and nephews, Stacy M. (Marvin) Young, Aaron V. C. (Jillian) Sarle, and Tobin A. Sarle; great-nieces Alexi Katherine Zeluff and Delaney Ann Shafer. Jim was preceded in death by his parents. He was a writer (songs and short stories) and musician. He loved living by his lake in Paw Paw and was a genuine Michigander. Most important to him were his friends and family.
I want to thank Jim for all the great stories, all the fun songs, for cracking me up a lot and for the friendship.
Jim was a close friend whom I met while attending WMU in the fall of 1974. Have many good/happy memories from the liberal past. Last saw him late October of this year. His friendship will be sorely missed. I know he’s in Rock n Roll heaven creating new music with Jerry Garcia from the Grateful Dead. Rock on Jim. See you on the other side someday. A pleasure to have known you.
Very quiet, and huge hole in our Paw Paw life with Jimmy gone. Doesn’t seem real; missing him.
Thinking of jimmy lately. I have countless memories that involve him throughout my entire life. He was my dads best friend. I appreciate jimmy letting me play with his microphone and guitar. I appreciate the 4th of July at his house. I appreciate the times he loaned my parents the tiny green car. I appreciate the story he told that he flipped a pancake on his chest and that’s how he got the circular scar. The dynamic of jimmy and my dads relationship is what I reflect on when I’m faced with people I don’t agree with. Jimmy was kind to me always even when I was at my worst angsty teen times. I keep a picture of my dad and jimmy on my fridge with a magnet I know jimmy would think was funny.