James Jay Driscoll, 68, of Essexville, a warm and kind hearted soul, passed away while surrounded by his family on Wednesday, November 25, 2015. Jim was born in Jackson on December 22, 1946 to the late Wayne H. and “Nita” (Sell) Driscoll. While his dad served in the Air Force, he spent his younger years attending schools across the United States as he moved with his family. Jim graduated in 1965 from Woodson T. High School in Fairfax, VA. It was while attending Michigan State University that he met Kathie on a blind date. Their meeting resulted in a long and loving relationship, with the two of them marrying in August of 1969. A marriage that lasted 46 wonderful years. After college, Jim served in the U.S. Army, where he studied crypto machine training at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey. After graduating at the top of his class, he entered the Army Security Agency and was stationed in Germany for three years. After returning from abroad, Jim worked as an electrician at General Motors – Powertrain in Bay City. It was a job he kept for 38 years before enjoying retirement in 2007. Jim always cherished the time he spent with his family. He is survived by his loving wife, and best friend, Kathie L. (McMullen) Driscoll; his eldest son, Jason and partner, Scott Stepan; his youngest son, McKenzie and his wife, Melinda (Holland), and their three sons. He was Papa Jim to Brennen Scott, whose attention to detail matched his own, Kayden Thomas, who shared his love of Jeeps, and to young Jagger James, who shared his name and was just beginning to know him. Jim is survived by his generous sister, Jean and her husband, Bob Kelly; his spunky younger sister, Janis Swann and her companion, Ray Rector, as well as a wonderful niece, nephew, and a group of grand-nieces and nephews from the “California Gang.” In addition, he is survived by two “Michigan Made” nieces, daughters of his brother-in-law, the late Tom McMullen and his wife, Pam Andrews, as well as his gracious Aunt Doris Scott, and many close cousins and friends. While on this earth, Jim enjoyed life to the fullest. Whether it was expertly maneuvering his Jeep on the challenging, slick rock trails in Moab, UT, or kicking back with an ice cold craft beer while he snuggled up with his dogs and took in a NASCAR race on TV, he lived every moment with joy in his heart, and a grand sense of humor. Kathie could frequently find Jim in the garage with his feet sticking out from under his “stealth” Jeep as he prepared it for their next great adventure. They explored many unique places and enjoyed their quiet times together, as well as long talks and walks on the rail trail. He loved to vacation with his family, and took the time to instill his love of nature in his wife and two boys as he took them across the country, through old growth forests, and to the top of mountains where they could touch the sky. He was an exceptional man with a huge heart, whose thirst for adventure was infectious. We were all better for knowing him, and he will be greatly missed. Jim’s family will be present to receive visitors from 12:00 Noon until 4:00 PM on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at Skorupski Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 955 N. Pine Rd., Hampton Twp. Private interment will be held on Monday, December 7, 2015 at Floral Gardens Cemetery. A gift in Jim’s memory may be directed to Camp Fish Tales. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family online at www.skorupskis.com.