James A. Byykkonen

James Allen "Jim" Byykkonen, age 68, passed away peacefully on March 5th, surrounded by his loving family at UP Health System - Marquette. He was born to Howard and Stella Byykkonen.

He held many jobs throughout the years but ended his career working at the Ojibwa Casino. He was a proud member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community.

Jim was a man with a huge heart and an even greater love for his family. He found his greatest joy in the outdoors - hunting in the woods during the winter months and fishing whenever he had the chance. If you couldn't find him in the woods, you could be sure he was out on the pontoon boat in the summer, soaking up the sunshine and making memories. He cherished teaching his daughter, nieces, and nephews how to hunt and fish, passing down not only skills but traditions, patience, and respect for nature. The time he spent outdoors with those he loved most meant everything to him.

Jim is survived by his daughter, Barbie (Lindsey); the love of his life, Peggy Sue; his mother-in-law, Barbara Swartz; brother-in-law Fulla (Julie) Swartz; Mike Denomie; sisters-in-law Patti (Art) Maki and Terri Swartz; and his beloved nieces and nephews Damian, Darcye, Shellie, Heather, Mikey, Bobby Joe, Brittany, and Courtney. He also leaves behind many great-nieces and great-nephews who kept him on his toes and brought him endless joy. Very special friends who became family, Nathan and Kristin Draper and Thomas Telfer.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Howard and Stella Byykkonen; his brother, Paul Byykkonen; and his father-in-law, Clyde Swartz.

Following Jim's wishes, there will be no formal funeral service. The family will host a Celebration of Life at the Ojibwa Senior Center on March 14th at 3pm. A private gathering will also be held at the family's Herman Deer Camp - just the way he would have wanted, surrounded by the woods he loved so much.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the many wonderful nurses who helped care for Jim over the years. A very special thank you goes to his wound care nurse, Brittany, for her compassion, dedication, and the kindness she showed him and our family.

Jim's legacy of love, laughter, storytelling, and his deep appreciation for family and the outdoors will live on in all who were blessed to know him. He will be deeply missed but forever remembered in every cast of a fishing line, every walk through the woods, and every memory shared around the campfire.