James Warren Blasen, age 84 of Sebastian, FL passed away on February 1st, 2023.

Jim was born in Grand Rapids, MI on August 13th, 1938, to Jack and June Blasen. Jim graduated from Godwin Heights High School in 1956 with a football scholarship to Michigan State University. While attending MSU, he was drafted into the Army. He returned to Michigan State University after serving in the Army where he then went on to play football, basketball, was president of his senior class, voted Mr. MSU, a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and earned his bachelor's degree in business.

Jim is preceded in death by his college sweetheart, Sandra Blasen who passed away in 1977. Jim and Sandra had 3 children together: Thomas, Catherine, and Steven. On December 9th, 1983, he was united in marriage to his "bride" as he would forever call her, Carolyn. Jim and Carolyn together raised a blended family of seven children and would have celebrated 40 years of marriage in December.

Jim and Carolyn spent many years hosting friends and family at their home in Rockford on Lake Bella Vista, attending Michigan State football games with friends and traveling the world together. Many friends and family remember Jim for teaching them to water ski and fish.

Jim had many hobbies but one of his favorites was trying different types of beer. He turned that love into a hobby and created his own personal collection of thousands of unique beer cans proudly displayed to perfection in the game room of their home on Lake Bella Vista. He was a member of the Beer Can Collectors of America and enjoyed attending shows and trading cans with others around the United States as well his brother, George who was also a collector. One of Jim's famous lines he will always be remembered for was, "You got time for a beer?".

Jim owned several businesses over the span of his career but spent 35 years as the business owner of Miller Zeilstra lumber company in Grand Rapids. After retiring, Jim and Carolyn moved to Sebastian, Florida where they enjoyed hosting family and friends who would visit the area. Jim was a great storyteller and had many stories of his travels around the world as well as living in New Jersey and Chicago. Jim was the proudest of his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. His favorite stories of all were that of his family and their accomplishments.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn Blasen, son Thomas and daughter-in-law Amy Blasen (Lindsay, Lauren, Kylie, Molly & Brooke), Daughter Cathy Hood (Amanda, Charlinda, Judy, Chastity and Anthony), his son Steven Blasen (Morgan, Troy, Joel and Tara), Step-daughter Christine and son-in-law Scott Wurm (Jacob, Benjamin, Matt and Mindy), Step-daughter Debra and son-in-law Tom Kuiper (Olivia, Samuel, Charlie and Estella), Step-daughter Jill and son-in-law William Trudeau (Sophia, Anna and Liam) and Step-son Ryan and daughter-in-law Lisa VanderLaan (Jeffrey and Owen), his sister Judy and brother-in-law Russ Lemley, many great grandchildren, nieces and nephews; Preceded in death by his Mother, June Blasen and Father Jack Blasen, Step-Mother Anita Blasen, his brother, George and sister-in-law Betty Blasen and his son-in-law Scott Hood.

A Celebration of Life will be held 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 11th at JB's Pizza; 2433 Eastern Ave SE, Grand Rapids. Please bring your favorite memories of Jim to share and wear your MSU attire if you have it.