James Alex Carson, began life on June 16, 1916 in Chicago; the son of Todd and Clara (DeBell) Carson. He is a 1934 graduate of Fenger High School in Chicago. James served his country as a Sea Bee in the United States Navy during WWII. After the war, James became a firefighter with the City of Chicago, retiring after 30 years in 1978. He was a member of the Dowagiac VFW Post 1855 and a life memeber of the American Legion Post 25 in Lake Placid, FL. James found the perfect mate twice in his life, his first wife Eileen Muszynski passed away on June 6, 1967. On May 6, 1971, he married Lila Anderson in Blue Island, IL. His loving family includes his wife Lila of Dowagiac; children Patricia Smith of Hammond, IN, Barbara (Ted) Cooper of Hobart, IN, Betty Jo (Kevin) Fusak of Hammond, Diane (Bill) Kulchawik of Calumet City, IL, James (Helen) of Chicago, Fred (Nancy) of Henderson, NV, Dennis of Chicago, Cheri (Harris) Whybrew of Lowell, IN, Mary Ann (Prem) Laumas of Davis, CA, Margaret (Norbert) Dietrich of Griffith, IN; 24 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one sister Dorothy Balangee of Chicago. James passed away on Tuesday, August 3, 2004 at the Lakeview Community Hospital in Paw Paw, MI. His family will gather with friends on Friday, August 6, 2004 from 2 to 4 pm (Michigan time) at the Groner Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 301 Main Street, Dowagiac, MI 49047. Memorial contributions in James’ name may be directed to the Chicago Firefighters Widows and Orphans Fund or to the Salvation Army Canteen. Memorial condolences may be sent to the family at groner@locallink.net.
