James D. Mackie, of Seward, was born July 31, 1928, to Toivo Mackie and Pansy Lillian (Johnson) Mackie in Highland Park, Michigan.
He was baptized into the Christian faith at Bethany Lutheran Church on May 9, 1929, in Kaleva, Michigan. He attended school, was confirmed at St Paul Lutheran Church and school, Farmington, Michigan, and graduated from Clarenceville High School there. He attended the University of Michigan, where he participated in the Michigan Marching Band, performing with the band at the 1948 Rose Bowl, and Orchestra. He married Christine Elizabeth (Diamond) Mackie Nov. 11, 1950. Following graduation, he was drafted by the United States Army, where he served his country at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and Camp Crowder, Missouri, from Jan. 11, 1951, to Jan. 10, 1953, during the Korean War. He held various jobs while earning his Master's Degree from UM in Music Education and then started a teaching career at public schools in Michigan. His ensembles consistently won honors at the district and state competitions and he was active in leadership of the Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association, who named him Orchestra Teacher of the Year in 1975. During this time, he was President of the Michigan Marching Band Alumni and was instrumental in obtaining financing for the band’s Revelli Hall. In 1977, he accepted a position to teach music at Concordia College in Seward, where he retired as Assistant Professor in 1984. He later held sales positions and was a director of Operation Able, State of Nebraska, Lincoln District.
Jim had a wide curiosity about the world. He was an early adopter of technology, building his first high fidelity stereo system from a kit and taught himself DOS on an early portable IBM, later developing Laborers for Christ’s first website. He loved aviation from an early age, earning his pilot’s license in Nebraska and served on the board of the Seward Municipal Airport. Jim was known for his photography skills behind the camera and in the darkroom, winning awards for his casual portraits and landscapes. He also refit a church pipe organ to fit in his basement in Jackson. He discovered the power of making people laugh when he was in high school and loved nothing more than coming up with a good pun or corny joke.
But most of all, he loved his Lord Jesus Christ, praying often and bringing up his children to know Jesus. He served however he could, by leading church choirs, school bands, providing trumpet music for festival services, leading the organ committee and serving on the Board of Education of Trinity Lutheran School in Jackson, Michigan. In Seward, he was active in the Lutheran Laymen’s League and served as Secretary for St Johns Church council.
Jim passed away June 29, 2021, in Seward, at the age of 92 years, 10 months, and 29 days. He is survived by his children, Janice (Rev. Ralph) Schmidt, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Rev. Roger (Ruth) Mackie, Rockford, Michigan, David (Tammy) Mackie, Seward, and Steven (Beverly) Mackie, Columbus; grandchildren, Jon (Bonnie) Schmidt, Mark (Shannon) Schmidt, Sarah Schmidt, Paul (Megan) Mackie, Robert Mackie (Sarah Kirk), Timothy Mackie, Benjamin Mackie (fiancee Gloria Dorschner), Christopher Mackie, Carlin (Ayshia) Mackie-Stephenson, Caitlin Mackie, Curtis Mackie, Colleen Lindsay, Allison Mackie, Elijah Mackie; four great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Mackie; parents, Toivo and Pansy Mackie; brother, Donald Mackie; and twin sister, Joan Johnson.
The funeral service was July 6 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, followed by internment at the Greenwood Cemetery with full military honors. Condolences may be left for the family at www. volzkefuneralhome.com.
