James “Jim” W. Thomas, age 66, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. He will be missed by his wife of 28 years, Sherri (Hoffman); his stepchildren, Jeremy Korhorn, and Joseph and Lenore Korhorn; grandchildren, Levi Korhorn, Cortlyn Korhorn, Steven and Lou Eberhard, Alexandria Ferri, Keegan Scobey, and Amanda Smith and Kayla Glasgow; siblings, Linda and Rick Chase, Rich and Michelle Thomas, and Mike and Kathy Thomas.

Jim was well-known for his quick witted humor and his fondness for dogs and cats. He loved being outdoors and spent many happy hours biking, as well as hiking and camping with his wife. He had many talents and interests, including woodworking, acoustic guitar, reading, bird watching, history, and Buddhist philosophy. He had a special gift for finding joy in the simple pleasures of life and appreciating each moment to the fullest. 

A Celebration of Life gathering will be announced at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite animal rescue, nature organization, or to The American Cancer Society.