James Frank Blunt

James Frank "Sonny" Blunt, of Sebewaing, MI, formerly of Livonia, MI, passed away unexpectedly on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2014, at his residence, age 79. He was born Peter Paul Hass on October 25, 1935 along with his twin sister, June Hass, in Tawas City, Iosco County, MI. James' birth parents were Frances Agnes (Felczak) Hass and Peter Paul Hass. His parents divorced on March 22, 1938. On February 7, 1940 Frances was married to Oren Lee Blunt. Oren adopted Frances and Paul's children on July 9, 1942, Pauline, Sylvia, William, Robert, June and Peter Paul. That is when his name was changed to James Frank. The family moved to Detroit in the 1940's. James graduated from Jefferson High School. He served his country in the U.S. Army from April 29, 1955 to February 20, 1957, SP3(T). He completed his basic training in Fort Sheridan, Illinois and then served in Korea for 1 year, 9 months and 12 days with the HQ Company, 2nd Battalion/ 17th Infantry. On July 17, 1953 he was hired in at GM Fisher Body Fleetwood Plant as an Apprentice Tool and Die Maker. James worked there and moved up the ranks until that plant closed when he was transferred to the GM Tech Center where he retired from on August 1, 2006 with 53 years and 6 months with GM. He was a prominent member of the UAW and was Chairman of Local #160 when he retired. On April 24, 1954 James married Juana Minjares and they had five children together, Elizabeth Ann, Kendall Kay, James Frank Jr., Candace Lea and Crystal Joy. His wife Juana passed away on May 14, 1972. On July 11, 1975 James then married Dixie Lee (Whitehead) Lockhart-Bommarito and they had two children, together, Christie Denise and Lisa Marie. Dixie Lee preceded James in death on July 15, 2011. Together James and Dixie owned and operated the Hi Life Bar on Fort Street in Detroit for many years. On July 22, 2013, James, along with his son James Jr. bought a home together in Sebewaing near the river. They, along with James daughter Candace, decided to live together. To try to bond as a family, to relax, fish and enjoy life and to get to know one another along with other family members. James met and knew a lot of people thru the course of his 79 years of life from least known to important, famous and well known folks. He was a businessman who would listen to those from all walks of life. James spent most of his adult life with General Motors and the United Auto Workers. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances. Besides his children, James is also survived by his brothers, Bill Blunt and Bob (Marilyn) Blunt; and his sisters, Pauline (Edward) Calus and Sylvia Davis; a brother-in-law, Fred Costello; 14 grandchildren, Amy, Bobby, Ronnie, James, Bryan, Joel, Brittany, Brianna, Brandon, Alyssa, Brandy, Adriana, Joseph and Alayna; seven great-grandchildren, Joshua, Shawn, Janie, Hailey, Klohie, Peyton and Ryder; his step-children, Brenda, Theresa and Mark; and several nieces and nephews. James was also preceded in death by his parents, Peter Paul Hass, Frances Agnes (Felczak) Hass Blunt and Oren Lee Blunt; two daughters, Kendall Kay on April 2, 1958 and Candace Lea on July 9, 2014; a great-grandson, Jacob Wagganer on January 25, 2004; his twin sister, June Costello on June 23, 1999; a brother-in-law, Tom Davis; and a sister-in-law, Margo Blunt. It was James desire for cremation to take place and that his remains be interred with Dixie Lee at White Chapel Mausoleum in Troy, MI. A Memorial Service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2015 in the Chapel of Psalms at White Chapel Mausoleum, 621 W. Long Lake Road, Troy, MI 48098. Officiating will be Pastor Mark Kerr. For more information please go to: www.gephartfuneralhome.com