Mr. James Thomas Dover III

DOVER, Mr. James Thomas III - Age 64, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2022, at his residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, January 14, 2023, Bethel United Methodist Church, 1309 N. Ballenger Hwy., with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Rev. Andrew Ali, officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday. Mr. Dover will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. and may be viewed from 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday. James Thomas Dover III was born in Flint, Michigan on January 06, 1958. He was the son of James T. Dover Jr. and Dorothy (Denson) Flippen. James met the love of his life, Lillie Wash, at the Flint Public Library. They were married for 44 years. From this union they have two children, Elliott and Angela. James graduated from Flint Northwestern High School in 1976 and received an Associate Degree from Mott Community College in 1990. James continued his education and received a Bachelor Degree from the University of Michigan in 1993 and he received a Master of Science Degree from Ferris State University in 1996. James worked at General Motors for 30 years where he held various positions including, Assembly/Manufacturing, Quality Engineering, and Supervision. He retired from General Motors in 2006. He later obtained a management job at Ryder Logistics corporation. In 2010, James became a College Professor at Baker College and for the next 12 years he was a guiding light for the students he taught. He was a faithful and devoted member of Bethel United Methodist Church where he held the positions of Pastor Parish Relations Committee President, Church Council President, Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher, Lay Leader-BUMC, Finance Chairperson and served on the Superintendent Committee of the UMC, Michigan Conference Lay Servant Representative for the District, Men’s BUMC Breakfast and served amongst many other roles within the church. James valued knowledge and education. He loved history and politics and was known as the family historian. James had an encyclopedic knowledge of American history. He could tell you about every U.S. president, wars and their geopolitical ramifications. He could walk you through just about any event in American history. James was passionate about affecting the most positive change in people, which later led him to teach and mentor. James enjoyed spending his weekends with his grandchildren, watching black and white movies, taking walks, or sitting on the patio watching the kids play in the backyard. He also enjoyed fellowshipping with family, friends and traveling. James Thomas Dover III leaves to cherish his memory: wife, Lillie Dover; son, Elliott(Marian) Dover of Prosper, Texas; daughter, Angela Nunn (Anthony) of Sterling Heights, Michigan; mother, Dorothy (Denson) Flippen; sister, Jennifer Dover Spriggs (William) of Great Falls, Virginia; brother, Donald Dover (May); 2 sisters-in-law, Lavern Bond (Roscoe) and Mary Lee Groce of Summit, Illinois; 4 grandchildren, Anthony Nunn II and Alexander Nunn, both of Sterling Heights, Michigan, Phoenix Nelson and Ameria El-Hasan, both of Prosper, Texas; 1 great-granddaughter, Boston Hately of Prosper, Texas; uncle, Elton Denson; aunt, Dorothy (Thompson) Denson; 4 nephews, William T. Spriggs, Justen Bond, Dillan Dover and Arlester McDonald, all of San Diego, California; 3 nieces, Elena Bond, Taryn (Jimmie) Dover-Kaufman and Arleesa McDaniel, all of Summit, Illinois; and a host of cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews, other relatives and friend. James was preceded in death by his father, James T. Dover Jr; grandparents, William and Lucille (Gregory) Denson, James Dover Sr. and Alberta (Parhm) Dover; step-father, William S. Flippen; aunts and uncles, Martha Cooper, Thelma Patton, Pauline Brown, Edna Robinson, Delores Jennings, Vola Hall and (Hon. Calvin Hall Sr), William Denson Jr., Gerald Denson, Edward Dover; nephew, Donald Halford Dover. The family would like to express an extraordinary thanks to Rev. Dr. Andrew Alli, Rev. Naylo Hopkins and the Bethel United Methodist Church family for their awesome support and prayers. Also, to extend a special thanks to ProMedia Hospice.

Mr. James Thomas Dover III

January 6, 1958 - December 31, 2022