Jimmy Ray Hines

Jimmy Ray “Jim” Hines, 87 of Gaylord, passed away Friday, June 27, 2025, at Aspen Ridge in Gaylord.

Born in Wayne City, Illinois, Jim moved to Michigan with his family and spent his youth in Port Huron, graduating from Port Huron High School in 1955. Jim was proud to have been a football player in high school, cherishing those memories and sharing stories with his family throughout his life. In his youth and earlier life, he was a member of the Lutheran church.

Jim enjoyed a lengthy career in materials management at General Motors, where he worked for 34 years and spent the last year there working with GM subsidiary, EDS.

On June 30, 1979, Jim and his wife, Sandra were married in Birmingham. They enjoyed nearly 46 years of marriage together. In 1990, after retirement, Jim and Sandra moved to Gaylord, living in Wilderness Valley for several years before later moving to Michaywe. They enjoyed working together to make every home they owned comfortable and beautifully landscaped.

In his spare time, Jim enjoyed working with hands, building furniture, and taking on projects to help both Wilderness Valley and Michaywe. He was also an avid fly fisherman, enjoying tying his own flies. His family and friends will remember his sense of humor and how he enjoyed making others laugh.

Jim is survived by his wife, Sandra; daughters, Amy (Paul) Slivinski of Gaylord, and Kate Melton of Johannesburg; a granddaughter, Haeley Melton; great grandchildren, Xavier, and Quincy Rivera; and his niece and nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Michael Hines; his sister, Phyllis Hines; his son-in-law, Thomas Melton; and a grandson, Michael Melton.

In keeping with his wishes, his family will remember him privately. Those who wish are asked to consider memorial contributions in his memory to the Gaylord Area Council for the Arts.

Please share your memories and personal messages with the family on his guestbook below.