Obituary of James Jonzo Bogan

James J. Bogan passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 25, 2021 after a long battle with cancer. He was born February 17, 1939 in Lexa (Southland), Arkansas, the sixth child of nine siblings of Bennie, Sr. and Maggie Betts Bogan. James later moved to Chicago, IL where he met Vera Mae Harris. They fell in love and were married on September 5, 1970. In 1975, they relocated to Kalamazoo, MI where they resided for the remainder of their lives. James worked as a butcher in Arkansas and the Murco Company (now JBS) in Plainwell, MI, as a general laborer at American Fibrit in Battle Creek, MI, Johnson Controls in Battle Creek, MI where he retired, and he owned his own Lawncare service. James was the stepfather to Vera’s two sons, Terence F. Williams, Sr. and Brian K. Perry, Sr. He also was the step grandfather to six grandsons, Terence F. Williams, Jr., Joseph Williams, Roderick Walls, Brian K. Perry, Jr. (Skippy), Brian D. Shelburn (BB), Cheron Reed, and one step granddaughter Desireé Williams. James was preceded in death by his parents, Bennie, Sr. and Maggie; wife, Vera; brothers Bennie, Jr. and Dempsey Bogan; sisters Parthina Newman, Theodis Campbell, and Leverne Jennings; and stepson, Brian Perry, Sr. James leaves to cherish his memory, his sisters Evelyn Minor and Pearl (Lonnie) O’Large of Kalamazoo, MI; brother Sylvester Bogan of St. Louis, MO; stepson Terence (Barbara) Williams, Sr. of Gary, IN, step grandsons Terence F. Williams, Jr., Joseph (Nichelle) Williams, and Roderick Walls all of Chicago, IL, Brian K. Perry (Skippy) of Grand Rapids, MI, Brian D. Shelburn (BB) of Kalamazoo, MI, and Cheron Reed of Indianapolis, IN; step granddaughter Desireé Williams of Phoenix, AZ; sisters-in-law Rosetta (Bobby) Bluntson and Bessie Edmonds of Grand Rapids, MI; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews; “special daughter” Denise Snell; and other relatives and friends.