James Robert Hawley, 71, passed away on Thursday, April 3rd, 2025.

Jim was born in Paw Paw, Michigan to Fredrick and Fern (Steffens) Hawley on May 4th, 1953. Shortly after, the family moved to Leland, and in 1960, Stoney Point Orchards of Suttons Bay was established. On the family farm, Jim not only took care of the animals and helped his mom maintain her garden, he also worked the cherry harvest, alongside siblings Randy, Sandy, and Karen.

At Suttons Bay High School, Jim excelled as an athlete, competing in track and baseball, but most prominently in basketball and football. A big fish in a small pond, Jim moved downstate his junior year to play for Chippewa Hills. At 6' 1 and 190, Jim was a power forward with tenacious defense and a good shot. He helped his team win the 1969 US10 basketball league outright. His senior year, he became Chippewa's leading scorer and rebounder, earning first team all-conference and an honorable merit All-State. That year, at fullback, Jim had 97 carries for over 600 yards. His strength and agility aided his football team in becoming Co-Champions of the US10 league. He was named to the 1970 Offensive Team for both the US10 Conference and the Pioneer Area, with an honorable mention for All State. This drew attention from colleges like Ferris State and Michigan Tech, both of which recruited him.

Instead, Jim accepted a place at Michigan State University, where he received his Bachelor Degree in Economics. During his time there, he made lifelong friends with his roommates, competed in IM sports, and over several summers road-tripped with his brother Randy to visit the National Parks. He remained a proud alumnus throughout his life, often venturing back for football and basketball games.

After graduating in 1978, Jim returned to his family's cherry business, helping the farm move from traditional hand-picked cultivation to a modern approach with shakers. While headquarters remained in Suttons Bay, the farm prospered and grew to include acreage in Omena and Northport. However, a career change was in the air. In 1987, he followed his brother into real estate. Starting off at Signature Reality in Suttons Bay, the two moved into the Traverse City market with ReMax in 1990. He stayed with them until the 2007 recession precipitated a return to farm life. Eager to eventually resume the career that he loved and took pride in, Jim joined Keller Williams in 2014 to finish out his real estate career before Covid led to an early retirement.

Within those busy years, Jim married Nancy Prong and in 1991 had his first and only child, his daughter, Megan. A kind and soft-hearted father, he eagerly introduced her to his favorite hobbies: basketball, mushroom hunting, boating, and MSU sports. On their trips downstate, he instilled his love of the university in her, where she subsequently graduated from in 2013 and 2016.

An avid outdoorsman, gardener, and fisherman, Jim loved to spend time in nature, especially with friends. He often embarked on fishing trips to the Florida Keys, Mexico, and Canada, as well as hunting trips with his brother. From 1989 to 2006, Jim and Randy owned a rustic cabin on the Sturgeon River in the Upper Peninsula, his home away from home. In 2021, he was able to renew that dream and designed and decorated a second cabin himself, his magnum opus.

Jim is survived by his daughter Megan and his son-in-law Eric Bowden, his brother Randy Hawley, and his sister Karen Drake. He was preceded in death by his mother Fern, his father Fred, and his sister Sandy Burkholder. A memorial service will be held in May, when weather permits the outdoor celebration of his life. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the National Parks Foundation in Jim's name.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com