James H. Shank

It is with sadness the family and friends of Jim Shank share the news of his passing due to a heart attack on Friday, June 7th, doing what he loved – outdoors running machinery and helping friends.
A 1983 graduate of Paw Paw High School, Jim was born and raised in Paw Paw, where he excelled in 4-H, enjoyed motorsports during his youth with his cousins, competitive pistol shooting, and was an avid nurseryman – so much so, that he pursued a career in Landscape Design and Maintenance, graduating from Michigan State University with a degree in Horticulture in 1987. Thereafter, Jim started 2 Paws Nursery, which he operated until his death.
Jim is survived by his mother, Sidney Shank of Paw Paw, his canine friend Daisy, as well as many cousins, aunts, uncles, and numerous close friends. Preceding Jim in death were his father John Shank, and grandparents. Jim had an infectious laugh and loved to tell a good joke or spin an interesting story. He consistently put others ahead of himself, and would plow driveways for widows on a fixed income, fix a faucet for a single mom, or run a friend’s child to religious ed.
Jim was a member of the Michigan Landscape & Nurserymans Association for many years, past President of the Kalamazoo Valley Landscape and Nursery Association, current board member of the Van Buren County Farm Bureau where he enjoyed mentoring students seeking a career in agriculture, for many years served on the board of the Paw Paw Alumni Corporation Board, most recently as President, and with his family supported many local, state, and national political candidates and campaigns.
Friends will be received on Wednesday, June 12, 2019 beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 West Michigan Ave,Paw Paw, where a celebration of Jim’s life will follow on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Jason Bull officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Van Buren County Farm Bureau Grain Bin Rescue Project.