Jim was born on April 28, 1935, the son of Domazy and Mary (Steimel) Flees. On June 11, 1955, in Suttons Bay, he married the love of his life, Phyllis Ann Lee. They shared 68 devoted years together before Phyllis preceded him in death on May 17, 2024.

Jim enjoyed nature and had a green thumb that he used to grow his large vegetable garden. He loved to share the fruits of his labor with not only family members, but neighbors & friends as well, until everyone was up to here in zucchini and tomatoes! Jim also liked to go deer hunting, often making trips to the U.P. to deer camp. During the winter, you would often see Jim out snowblowing his driveway and pretty much his whole yard even if only a half inch of snow had fallen. In the warmer months he traded in his snowblower for his lawn mower where you would see him cruising around with a cold PBR in hand and always a wave for those driving by.

Jim had a successful career, starting out at Northern Lumber before moving on to Red Mill Lumber Co. and then on to Grand Rapids Sash and Door. When he had enough of the salesman life, he went to work for Virgil Bareham in his cherry orchards and then finally he went to work for Bingham Township caring for their many parks and cemeteries. He received many compliments on the meticulous job he always did.

Jim had a passion for building things and tinkering with just about anything he could find.

He built an addition on his own house, which also included a garage and a large out building to house his many Arctic Cat snowmobiles that he owned over the years. He was instrumental in the building of his in-laws cottage on Lake Leelanau, and 1935 ~ 2025

many other projects big and small. He had a knack for math, never using a calculator, but figuring out the answers in his head, and was able to crunch numbers with the best of them.

Jim is survived by his children, Janice (Alvin) Herman, James Lee Flees, and Judy (Tom) Skowronski; his siblings, Patricia Brown, and Diane Wilson; his grandchildren, Denise Herman, Heather (Shawn) Petras, Tiffany Skowronski ( Jorge Diaz), Jason (Chelsey) Skowronski, and Christopher (Katie) Skowronski: his great granchildren, Kelsie Herman, Kayla Petras, Keegan Petras, Bryce Diaz, Mackenzie Skowronski, Carter Skowronski, Isaiah Skowronski, Leo Skowronski, and Jackson Skowronski; and his great-great grandson, Logan Anderson.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife, Phyllis; his siblings, Frances Walters, Firman Flees, William Flees, Dorothy Walters, John Flees; his brother-in-law, George Brach; and his daughter-in-law, Tina Flees.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the staff in the Elm Unit of the Grand Traverse Pavilions for their outstanding and exceptional care of Jim during his stay there. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the Rosary to be prayed at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 26 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay.

The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, June 27, also at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Samaritan’s Closet, PO Box 196, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.

Please share condolences and memories with Jim’s family at www.martinson.info.

Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.