James Ralls Obituary

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we face the passing of James William Ralls, our beloved and cherished husband, Dad, Papa and friend.

He fought a valiant battle with dementia and health related issues for many years. We admire his continued strength and patience and most of all, the love he was still able to give us. With his heart warming chuckles, charming dimpled smile, sparkling eyes and his reassuring presence, we continued to learn about the strength of unconditional love. Despite the circumstances, he still had his fun-loving personality and sense of humor.

Jim had difficulties and challenges in life after a life altering slip and fall accident during a retirement job in 2008, at the age of 56. He showed unmatched perseverance and strength in his rehabilitation. Our “Hulk Hogan,” our “Superman.” Life adapted to a new norm as he lived with a closed head injury. His wife, Diane became his caretaker. Jim would show the same remarkable strength and resilience during his years with dementia.

Jim and Diane have the most extraordinary love story. Diane affectionately calls him her “knight in shining armor” but Diane saved Jim, too. She devoted her life to caring for him for 17 ½ years, refusing to place him in a facility or to hire any help. She sacrificed any leisurely time she could have had during those years to care for the love of her life, without hesitation. She never complained. She was selfless and devoted. They loved each other immensely, and they let each other know it. Everyone knew it. You could see the love and bond between them even when they could no longer exchange the words to express it. Unconditional love. 

James was born and raised mostly in Dearborn, Michigan with some time as a boy and teenager spent living and working on his Aunt Rosalie and Uncle Sid’s farm in Washington State with time in California also. Special time was spent with his grandfather, who was an important part of his life, in Michigan’s U.P. where they had property in Kinross.

Jim attended Salina and Fordson High School, (class of 1970). Jim played football at Fordson and was a proud Fordson alum for life. Jim was known as “Farmer” to his football friends. 

Jim worked at Ford for 30 years before retiring. He started on the assembly line in the Rouge plant and advanced through the years to body shop supervisor, with his last years with Ford at the Lincoln plant in Novi. Jim was a faithful Ford customer and was very proud to buy Diane a Bronco truck in 2020 after it was released, knowing how much she had loved their old Bronco. 

Jim was one of the biggest Red Wings fans you could find, loving to watch the games and hear team updates, even through his illness. Jim loved fishing, county music, scary “monster movies,” and he was always so fun to be around. He will always be his daughter Lori’s favorite dance partner.

Jim played paintball and had many years of fun playing with family and friends and recruiting some grandsons to play.

Jim leaves behind many broken hearts. He was a family man. A loving husband and soulmate to Diane. They raised four children, Terry (Carrie), David (Vanessa), Eric (Kayla) and “Daddy’s girl” Lori (whose husband Hesham was a bonus son to Jim). 

They also raised two grandsons, Eric Vincent and Johnny.

Jim was a fun and loving Papa to his grandchildren, Eric, Logan, Johnny, Lexi, Alex, Samantha, Maya, Adam, Sienna, Jack and Ernie, and great grandchildren, Vincent, Dahlia, and Lily. 

Jim was preceded in death by his beloved grandfather and role model James “Jack” Keenan, father Kenneth Ralls, mother Geraldine, brother Mike, brother Carl, Aunt Rosalie and Uncle Sid, and grandson Johnny.  

Jim literally wore his heart on his sleeve and had many tattoos, several symbolizing someone he loved. 

Jim was an animal lover. He had a horse, Blue, when he was in Washington with his Aunt. As an adult, he was known to spontaneously adopt a dog from the animal shelter and bring it home, much to the surprise of his wife and kids. The family had many pets throughout the years but Jim’s favorite pets were later in life—his best dog, Shiloh and his loyal sidekick and protector cat Loki. 

Too many things were taken from Jim in life—but please don’t let his memories fade—remember him as he was, the big, strong, tough guy with the sweetest heart and funniest personality. Learn from his examples of patience, perseverance, bravery and love.

Visitation will be Sunday, June 1st, 2025 from 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. and the Funeral Service will be Monday, June 2nd, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. All services located at the Dearborn location of Howe-Peterson Funeral Home and Cremation Services 22546 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, MI 48124.