James was an adventurer, class clown, cannonball champion, velociraptor-enactor, lover of cult-classics movies, golf phenom, and dedicated raspberry devourer. Shortly after graduating from Northport, he followed his passion for entertainment and joined his older brother, the late Brian Kawa, in NYC to attend . lm school.

While in NY, James also earned a reputation on the basketball courts of Harlem, proving that white men can jump. His talent, humor, and competitive spirit made him a valued teammate and friend.

When his sister Andrea graduated from MSU, the two headed west toward Los Angeles. Though he often dreamed of retiring one day to a cottage near Lake Michigan, California became home.

James pursued his passion for . lm and built a successful career in the entertainment industry. As a proud member of the Art Directors Guild, he worked on numerous television projects, including Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Biggest Loser, Grace & Frankie, The Offer, and, shortly before his passing, the upcoming Green Lantern series.

His favorite project was the . lm Michael , released earlier this year. He loved sharing stories from his time working at Neverland Ranch, and was excited to send his crew jacket to his nephew, Brycen, Michael Jackson's biggest fan.

James loved movies, and looked forward to sharing his carefully curated Halloween and Christmas Movie countdown calendars. You haven't lived until you've witnessed a 6'4" James Kawa cackling at "Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas." Of all the roles James embraced in life, none meant more to him than being a father. Prior to marrying his wife, Desirée, he wholeheartedly embraced the role of father to her son, Gabriel. James never considered himself a stepfather. He was Dad. Gabe was his son. And seven years ago, the family welcomed their beautiful daughter, Phoenix, the absolute love of his life.

James loved . ercely and without reservation. He would move heaven and earth for the people he cared about, whether they were family by blood or family by choice.

Despite living across the country, the Kawa siblings coordinated summers and holidays around one another, gathering whenever possible in Northport and Detroit to create memories together.

One of the clearest re. ections of James choosing family . rst was when he stepped back in his career so he could spend evenings and weekends with his little girl, Phoenix. Walking her to the park, reading bedtime stories, and tucking her in each night became some of life's greatest joys. He knew she would only be little once, and he didn't want to miss a moment.

Even during the dif. cult years when Hollywood shut down for industry strikes, James found gratitude in the unexpected gift of extra time with his daughter. He spoke constantly of her creativity, talent, and enormous heart, and he looked forward to watching her grow up. But tragically, he didn't get the chance.

No one could have imagined that a man so full of life would be gone so suddenly, leaving yet another unimaginable void in the Kawa family.

James Stephen Kawa was the youngest son of the late Janet Burmeister (the late Bill Burmeister) and Gerald Kawa (Eileen); husband of Desirée Mejia Kawa; devoted father of Phoenix Kawa and Gabriel Mejia; cherished grandson of Marie Jagielski (102 years young); brother of the late Brian Kawa (Jenny) and Andrea Fera (Tony - s.Brycen, d.Jenison), Elaine Russette (d.Kelsey); and is further survived by beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless treasured friends.

James’s story is one of love, laughter, loyalty, and devotion. It is a story of a man who made every room brighter, every gathering louder, and every life better by simply being part of it. Though we are happy for the heavenly reunion with his mother, brother, and bonus dad, James will forever be missed on this earth.

His impact was immeasurable, and the Stories of James Stephen Kawa will be told for generations to come.