Obituary of James H. Harnden

James "Jim" Hiram Harnden passed away on Apr 6, 2022 at the age of 92 from complications related to heart failure.  He was born in Brooklyn, New York and was raised by his mother after his father died when he was 2 years old.  He attended Cornell University, where he majored in Psychology.  After his graduation, he was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy, where he proudly served in active duty until 1954 followed by another 10 years in the Naval Reserve.  He met his wife, Anne Carter Nelson of Blackstone, Virginia, in 1954 and they married in September of that year, prior to moving to Boulder, Colorado so that he could complete his Master’s degree in Personnel Service at University of Colorado in 1956.  Jim accepted a job offer from Ford Motor Company, and he and Anne moved to Dearborn, Michigan in 1956.  He spent his 37-year career working for Ford in personnel management.  He completed a 2-year assignment in Sao Paulo, Brazil from 1968-1970 and subsequently moved with his family to Farmington Hills, where he spent the next 19 years raising his family before moving to Green Lake in 1989.  He retired in 1993 and enjoyed his retirement years traveling and spending time with family and friends.  In his retirement, he was an avid birder and participated in many classes through the Adult Learning Institute.  Jim and Anne moved to Fox Run in Novi, Michigan in 2015.  During his time at Fox Run, he became involved in many clubs and activities.  He co-founded the Birders Club and was a member of a memoirs group, the Political Awareness Committee, the Movers and Shakers book club, and a participant in the Great Decisions Forum. 

Jim is predeceased by his father, Wilbur James Harnden, his mother, Harriet Elizabeth (Reed) Harnden, his daughter Mary (Patrick) Reed Donnelly, and his son James (Tina) Carter Harnden.  He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Anne Carter (Nelson) Harnden, his daughter Catherine (Michael) Elizabeth Keegan, his son Thomas Nelson Harnden, seven grandchildren Kyle (Adrea) Patrick Donnelly, Christopher (Lorenza) Ryan Donnelly, Caitlyn Elizabeth Donnelly, Corbin James Harnden, Caroline Elizabeth Keegan, Michael Reed Keegan, and Max Lucas McMaster, and three great grandchildren Kaden Patrick Donnelly, Alex Erikson Donnelly, and Rayna Anne Donnelly. 

A Memorial Service for Jim and Ann will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Fox Run Senior Living Community, 41000 Thirteen Mile Road, Novi, in the Belmont Clubhouse, Derby Room, followed by an open house until 2:00 PM.  

Donations in memory of Jim may be made to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or Angela Hospice. 

Please share a memory of Jim on his Tribute Wall.