James Martin Dunstan

James M. Dunstan, 95 of Kalamazoo, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, December 29, 2022, at The Springs at the Fountains. Jim was born February 21, 1927, in Ferndale, Michigan, the son of John and Beatrice (Freeman) Dunstan and grew up in the Ferndale area.

On June 12, 1971, he was united in marriage to Ruth (Werner Lurges) who preceded him in death on October 18, 2019. One year after their marriage they moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan. In 1977 the couple co-founded Azon, an international manufacturing company headquartered in Kalamazoo. Jim became Chairman Emeritus at his retirement in 2019. Passionate about travel – he laid step on nearly every continent and was a prolific author on both business and personal topics. He served in 1945 as a WWII Merchant Marine on the Henry Ward Beecher Liberty Ship. In his early years while growing his family, he was in Toastmasters, and had become a lay pastor where he developed his lifelong gift of public speaking, serving and mentoring. Jim was an entrepreneur and inventor who held several patents and trademarks around the world. He celebrated his 82nd birthday with Azon colleagues while on a business trip visiting Azon business locations in China and Korea in 2009.

Having a large extended family is what brought the most joy to his heart. Jim is survived by his brother Steven Dunstan; his children, Patricia Dunstan, Kathleen Butler, Nancy (Bob) Peterson, Beth (Victor) Akemann; stepchildren, Judy Evers, Patricia (Wade) Hetrick, Jeff Lurges, Lisa (Rodney) Lodenstein; daughter-in-law Debie Lurges; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. Also preceding him in death were his parents and step-father Ted Mielke; his sons, Neil and Brian Dunstan; grandson, Owen Butler; stepson, James Lurges; brother John Mielke, sisters Violet Dunstan, Isabelle West, Margaret Grabow, Frances Ritchie, Alvina Hull St. John and mother of his six children, former spouse Joy Shannon. Cremation has taken place and a memorial gathering will be held from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm and a memorial service at 12:00 pm on Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, 3926 South 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. A luncheon will immediately follow the service. Interment will be held for James and his son Neil on Friday, June 30 at 12:00 PM at the Fairview Cemetery in Brighton, Michigan. A special thank you from the family to all at The Springs at the Fountains, Arcadia Home Care & Staffing and Centrica Care Navigators, formerly known as Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries or the Salvation Army in his name. To view Jim’s personalized webpage please visit https://www.langelands.com

To virtually attend Jim's memorial service today, please follow the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_QGY1isrH8