James John Slowik of Huntington Woods, Michigan, passed away on March 29, 2022 at age 74. He was born in Detroit on May 28, 1947. Jim was a loving husband, father, brother and Dzia Dzia. 

Upon graduation from Mackenzie High School, Jim enlisted in the Marine Corps and proudly and heroically served his country in Vietnam. After his return from Vietnam, Jim completed his college education at Oakland Community College and Walsh College and had a distinguished career in law enforcement as a special agent for the U.S. Department of Labor; Office of Inspector General. He was honored to have served on the security detail for multiple U.S. presidents. 

Sports, traveling, camping and the opera were four of Jim's passions. Jim made a multitude of friends through his travels over five continents and closer to home with his love of golf, hockey, softball, bowling and of course, running. Jim’s friends and family cheered him on when he proudly represented the United States as a torch bearer for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and ran the torch through local streets ... in the dark ... in the winter!

Volunteerism was integral to Jim’s character. Whether combining his love of opera while serving as a supernumerary in numerous Michigan Opera productions, volunteering tireless hours raising and fostering service dogs or other generous contributions of time and resources to countless charities, giving back was part of what made Jim special. Jim received the Virginia Jones Spirit Award from the City of Huntington Woods, and an Alumni Award from Oakland Community College and the Exceptional Volunteer Service Award from the United States Department of Labor.

Jim lived a big and exciting life but nothing was more important to him than family. Jim loved sharing time with family and in particular, his granddaughter Caitlin. Jim is survived by his wife Amy Kessler, son Dusty (Kimberly) and granddaughter Caitlin Slowik. He is also survived by his brother Tom (Clara), sisters-in-law Susan Kessler (Bruce Shaw) and Cathy Cordes (the late Daniel Kessler), his former wife Gail Duffy and nieces and nephews Amanda and Michael Slowik, and Jonathan, Emily and Sarah Shaw. Jim was the son of the late John and Regina Slowik and the brother of the late Philip Slowik.

A private family service will be held April 1, 2022. A future celebration of Jim’s life will be planned. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that those who wish to further honor the memory of James Slowik may do so by making a contribution to:

Detroit Opera

www.detroitopera.org

or

Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs

www.medicalservicedogs.org

or

American Heart Association

www.heart.org

https://www.gramerfuneralhome.com/obituary/james-slowik