James Cline

James P. Cline, age 95, a resident of Royal Oak since 1937, died January 20, 2010 at Bortz Health Care of Warren. He was born June 11, 1914 in Cincinnati, Iowa. Mr. Cline graduated high school in Iowa and then attended the University of Michigan. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the E.T.O. as a Captain in the Ordinance Corps. He was employed at Erb Lumber as the advertising manager and personnel trainer. He served on the Royal Oak Commission from 1963-1969, was the Mayor of Royal Oak from 1969-1975, and then served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners. He was the past president 1959-1966 and honorary member of the Kiwanis Club of Royal Oak. He received the Distinguished Citizen of the Year award in 1969 and the Royal Oak Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Service award in 1970. Mr. Cline was a 60-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, where he was an elder and trustee, taught Sunday school and was the church photographer. He also served on the Royal Oak Library Board. He is survived by his wife, Jeanne H. Galloway Cline; children, Beverley Jeanne Duane McKenzie of Grayling, Barbara Jo David Ochs of Gold Canyon, AZ and Elizabeth Ann Kevin Gardiner of Royal Oak; and grandchildren, Scott McKenzie, Jennifer McKenzie, Jason Ochs, Rachel Gardiner and Samantha Gardiner. The visitation will be held Friday 3-7 p.m. at Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W Eleven Mile Road 4 blocks E of Woodward, Royal Oak. Mr. Cline will lie in state Saturday 10 a.m. until the time of service 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, with the Rev. Dr. Thomas Rice officiating. The burial will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly. Memorials to Hospice of Michigan, 400 Mack Ave., Detroit, MI 48201 or First Presbyterian Church, 529 Hendrie Blvd., Royal Oak, MI 48067. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.