James Alan Nauta

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James “Jim” Nauta, age 76, of Jenison, passed away and was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, September 10, 2021. Jim was a kind and loving husband, dad, and grandpa who treasured his family. He was blessed with an energetic spirit and truly loved to be with people. He enjoyed getting to know the story of everyone he met, and his motto was whoever walked up as a stranger would walk away as a friend. Jim graduated from Lee High School in 1963 and then went on to graduate from both Central Michigan University and Michigan State University. He proudly served his country in the US Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded three purple hearts. Jim was a Special Education teacher at Grand Rapids Public Schools for many years. He was an avid sports enthusiast, both in playing and watching. He was preceded in death by his sister, Nancy Bussler. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 34 years, Dorothy; his children, Aaron Nauta and Lindsay Campbell, Michelle and Sean Cornwell, Nathan Nauta; grandchildren, Whalen Nauta, Alistair and Rinoa Cornwell; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Tom Nauta, Mike and Nancy Nauta, Dan and Carol Nauta; sister-in-law, Carol Jackson; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 16, 2021 at 1 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor Harvey Heneveld officiating. Burial Georgetown Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family from 12-1 pm prior to the service at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Special Olympics.