Theodore John (Ted) St. James, a life-long resident of Tawas City, passed away peacefully, with his family by his side, on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.
Ted ran the family business, St. James Electric, Inc. for 53 years, after he took it over from his father John, after his death. After retirement he passed it on to his two children, who are still running it as a third generation family business of 85 years. Ted was a member of International Association of Electrical Michigan (IAEI) where he received an award for his 30 year membership. Ted also took over lighting and decorating his parent’s home for Christmas. It was a family affair, every November, where his family, his brother and sister’s families would gather to decorate for Christmas. It was a Christmas event for a lot of families to visit during the Christmas season to see the St. James Christmas lights.
Ted loved to go fishing, especially on Missinaibi Lake in Ontario, Canada where he was a member of Big Missinaibi Lodge for 50 years. He loved camping with his wife Kay. They traveled all over Michigan with their 5th wheel trailer. On Friday nights, he and his wife would meet for dinner, with a great group of life long friends. Ted was a very kind man and would do whatever he could to help. His family will truly miss him dearly.
Ted is preceded in death by his parents John B. and Margaret B. (Neumann) St. James, his sister Darlene Blust and brother Bud St. James, and his mother-in-law Martha Kotwicki. Ted leaves behind his wife Mary Kay, with whom he just celebrated 63 years of marriage with on December 26, 2022. His children are very proud with the marriage and life their parents celebrated together. He also leaves behind his son John (Sherri) of Tawas City, daughter Jill of Tawas City, grandson Joshua of South Lake Tahoe, California, granddaughter Samantha (Andrew) of Tawas City, great grandchildren Harper and Luke of Tawas City and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation for Ted will be held at Emanuel Lutheran Church, 300 North Street, Tawas City, Michigan 48763, on Saturday, January 14, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (noon) with a church service at 12:00 PM (noon) and luncheon to follow. Cremation has taken place and burial will be at Immaculate Heart of Mary Cemetery (Holy Family) located in Tawas City. Ted will be buried in a family plot with his immediate family at a later date.
The family ask that any donations in Ted’s honor be made to either the Pavilion Fund for Emanuel Lutheran Church, 300 North Street, Tawas City, Michigan 48763, or the Iosco County Animal Shelter, 3881 M-55, Tawas City, Michigan 48763.
Online condolences and messages of support may be left for Ted’s family at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.
