James Bernard "Jimmy" Kyles

KYLES, Mr. James Bernard "Jimmy" - age 62, passed away, Friday, September 18, 2015 at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland. Family hour 10:30AM Friday September 25, 2015 at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 512 Pearsall Ave., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11:00AM. Pastor Terrance J. Gowdy, officiating. Interment Perry Mount Park Cemetery, 878 N. Perry St. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Friday. Mr. Kyles will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 268 N. Perry St., and may be viewed from 12Noon-8PM Thursday. The family will be present from 6PM-8PM Thursday at the funeral home. Mr. James Bernard Kyles was born on April 9, 1953 in Pontiac, Michigan to the union of Samuel Sr. and Lettie (Dinkins) Kyles. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of the Reverend Dr. Amos G. Johnson. Jimmy, as he was affectionately called by family often told the story of him and James “Spud” Walker. Spud would come by for Jimmy to play catch. Some days it was okay and others, Jimmy didn’t want to be bothered so he would hide from Spud hoping he would go away. If Jimmy said he didn’t have a glove, Spud had one for him. Jimmy said “I just couldn’t get rid of him.” Jimmy attended Pontiac Public Schools, graduating from Pontiac Northern High School where he was an outstanding football and basketball player. Upon graduation, he immediately went to work for the General Motors Corporation at the Fisher Body Plant. After working on the assembly line for two weeks he decided it wasn’t his ideal of work and tested for the skilled trades program. “Hard work pays off” was his motto as he was the youngest to ever be employed as a Supervisor in the Maintenance Department. Jimmy enjoyed the challenge of making the quick assessment as to why the line was not running as it should. He was very instrumental in the startup of the Orion Plant. Because he no longer felt challenged he transferred to Truck and Bus where he traveled the United States and Spain teaching Planned Maintenance. Jimmy retired in 2005 with thirty-four years of service. On any given day, you could find him on the lake with his buddy, Rufus (Pete) Hannah fishing. Jimmy also enjoyed bowling and bowled for over twenty years in the Untouchables Mixed Bowling League where he was affectionately known as “Mr. James” as he just happened to be the oldest member of the team. Jimmy also participated in other bowling leagues, far too many to name. On September 18, 2015, God saw fit to call another one of his own home. Mr. Kyles leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Carol A. Kyles; children, Carl (Kelly) Kyles Sr., Rochelle Kyles, LaKeisha (Marvin) Taylor, Aaron (Shameka) Davenport, LaShonta Kyles, Leea D. (Lawrence T.) Moon, Bre'Ana Kyles; grandchildren, Domonique, Carl "CJ" Kyles Jr., Carl'Ronte, Nydia, Amaya, Carl'Ryk, Paige, Justin, MaKayla, and special grandson, Braylon; four great grandchildren; mother, Lettie Kyles; sisters, Sandra Peoples and Stacey Kyles; special nephew, Andre Kyles; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends including special friend, Rufus "Pete" Hannah. Mr. Kyles was preceded in death by his father, Samuel Kyles Sr.; sisters, Joan and Helen; brother, Samuel Kyles Jr.

James Bernard "Jimmy" Kyles

April 9, 1953 - September 18, 2015