James LaRoux

James H. LaRoux, 63, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, November 19, 2011 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, St. Joseph surrounded by his loving family. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Cremation will follow the service. Friends may call beginning at 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to sign Jim’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Jim was born November 17, 1948 in Oshkosh, WI to Harold & Dee (Peterson) LaRoux. He graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1966 and attended Lake Michigan College. On April 8, 1968 he married the former Betty Poe in Benton Harbor. Jim was formerly employed at Gates & Frank Pastrick Chevrolet in Benton Harbor. For the last 32 years he was a sales rep in the coin machine industry, working for Bally Midwest Distributing, Atlas, and currently for Moss Distributing. Jim was a sergeant with the Berrien County Sheriff Department Reserve Division. He was active with the Benton Harbor High School Class of 1966 Reunion Committee. Jim had a love for cars. He purchased many a car for himself for his job, and helped many a friend with their deals as well. He was a kind-hearted, giving man who never met a stranger, who was always ready with a joke and loved to make people laugh. He cherished the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren. Jim left to cherish his memory, his wife Betty; his children-Kelly (Robert) Guthrie of St. Joseph, Marcus (Lynn Ellingson) LaRoux of St. Joseph; two grandchildren-Claire & Levi Guthrie; two sisters-Megan (Alistair) MacCabe of Littleton, CO, Sandee Carillo of Tennessee; his mother-in-law Laveal Reed of St. Joseph; his sister-in-law- Sherry Kreiger of Dallas, GA; his brother-in-law John Koch III of Benton Harbor; and his canine companion Olivia. He was preceded in death by his parents.