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Obituary for James Michael Schotten
Schotten, James Michael, age 65 of Littleton. Born and lived In Farmington Birth, Highland Park, Michigan. Parents Benjamin Joseph Schotten & Marie Brandford brought to them children 1. Benjamin Raymond Schotten ,who died at 50 . 2. Joseph Martin Schotten 3. James Michael Schotten 4.Edward Thomas Schotten 5. Richard Schotten 6. Mary Ann Schotten.
Grew up in Farmington, MI He grew up there until even after he married, lived there another 10 years. Then he moved to Fenton, MI for about 10 years. A happy time of serving the Lord.
Jim went to school in Farmington and Farmington High School.This is where he grew up. He only lasted to the tenth grade. His most replies in life is “look what I’ve done. I Made it “ A very proud man for only making it through the 9th grade.
He was a salesman at ABC Warehouse for a few years during his early 20s. He worked at the Chevrolet Warren Plant, where he met his wife, Rita, They were both laid off and decided to marry. He worked in his garage for a year or so buying cars and selling them. Then he found the shop kitty corner across from the white farm house where he and his family lived for about 2 years, until he saw his oldest son at 1 ½ riding his toy car in the road. ( A major road 10 mile Rd) He opened J&E Transmissions 10 Mile & Orchard Lk,, Farmington, MI. He moved location to 9 Mile and Middlebelt Rd, in Farmington, MI and his company name, changed to Independent Transmissions.
He moved to Colorado in 1997 and opened Independent transmissions of Colorado. He ran it up until the last 3 weeks of his life. He retired officially a couple months ago. He was so excited about retirement and spending time with his youngest son Danny. He loved Daniel so much. He worked so hard during this time, opened 4 more transmission shops. One in Farmington, Lansing, Redford, Westland. One is still running that was bought out. His good friend Steve Bemis owns.
His 1st wife who he loved always, Rita Gonzales married January 11, 1975. He had 3 sons 2 by Rita, 1st son - James Benjamin Schotten, in Livonia, MI and 2nd son - Mark Allen Schotten also born in Livonia, MI, 3rd son Daniel Alexander Schotten born in the Denver, Colorado area.
He had 3 grandchildren from Mark 1. Timothy Allen Schotten, 2. Cheyenne Lynn Schotten, and 3. Alia Dawn Schotten.
His hobbies: gardening and listening to music loud on his stereo, building race cars with his oldest sons.
