James Ezell

-EZELL, James Warren - Age 78, of Flint, passed after his battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held 1 PM Saturday April 3, 2021 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek.  at Sunset Hills Cemetery.  Family visitation will be 3PM - 4 PM Friday and a visitation for friends will be 4-8 PM Friday at the funeral home. Jim was born on February 1, 1943 in Flint, the son of Jesse and Florence (Bloss) Ezell. He was a graduate of Swartz Creek High School where he played basketball, and his true passion of running track where he represented in the Canusa Games.  Jim was especially close with his “CLASS OF ’61” classmates, whom he considered more like family.
Jim loved spending time outdoors. He often liked to ride his motorcycle in the fall to enjoy the turning of the leaves or taking trips to visit friends and family in other states. He would go “up north” to hunt with a bow, and would take his boys up north and go out at night to look for deer with a spotlight. Jim worked for his in-laws, the Shumaker Family in the auto parts section at Shumaker’s at the Corner at Miller Road and Ballenger Highway for many years. He then went on to open his own store, Foreign Automotive Parts on Dort Highway in Flint. He then went on to become part owner of Burton City Towing, eventually becoming the sole owner. After selling Burton City he went to work for the Flood brothers at Fenton Express Towing, who treated him more like a member of the family than an employee. He worked for the Floods until he could no longer work.
After losing his wife, Bonnie Joan Shumaker Ezell to cancer in 1977, he remarried three times, to Sharon, Hye-Sil, and Connie. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his younger brother Gary. Jim is survived by his brother Bob Ezell, eldest son Mark, Mark’s daughter Hannah, and youngest son Brian. I was Jim’s wish that other members of family and special friends be mentioned: his stepson John Ishmael of Ohio, his wife Margo and children Jack, Luke, Maryann and Chloe:  Beloved Sister-in-Law Sandy Ezell of Swartz Creek; Special Cousin, Ilona " Bloss" Hagon; Neighbor Kevin Martin; Special Buddy and caretaker Cyndi Schillaci of Flint.
Jim especially appreciated all the “refrigerator hanging pictures”, letters, cookies, handmade bracelets and a beautiful photo book that his Granddaughter Chloe took time to make and send. They brightened Jim’s last days. Jim passed peacefully on his own terms laying on the couch with a remote in his hand.  He will be missed by so many. In lieu of flowers it is Jim’s wish that you take your children out to dinner and enjoy time with them and then tell them “dinner's on Jim”. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.

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