Jim Kuk
James “Jim” Carl Kuk, of Ludington, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at the age of 75.
His love of adventure and travel led him to explorations around the country and globe, from the towering mountains of New Zealand to the sunny islands of the Caribbean to the blazing depths of the Grand Canyon. However, he was most at home savoring a sunset over Lake Michigan or playing in the warm waters of Austin Lake. It was in these beloved places that Jim forged his most enduring legacy as a loving and devoted husband and father and a faithful friend.
He and his wife, Kathy, shared countless adventures through their travel and activities and passed on these passions to their children. They treasured memories of playing family games, camping in Michigan’s beautiful outdoors, and boating at their long-time home on Austin Lake, where they lived for 34 years and raised their three children.
When Jim was 9 years old, his family traveled from Detroit to the sunny shore of Lake Michigan to stay with friends at a charming cottage in the Linlook Park neighborhood of Ludington. They soon realized that they had discovered paradise on Earth. His family returned to Ludington each summer and it soon came to feel like a second home. Later, it would literally become home as Jim and Kathy moved to Ludington for retirement, enjoying both the natural beauty of Ludington State Park and friendships in the community. Jim passed on his love for the area by volunteering at the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. His family is thankful that he was able to fulfill his desire to pass peacefully in his home in Ludington with his family by his side, looking out the window towards the shining Lake Michigan waters.
Jim loved to be active and outdoors and developed many meaningful friendships through the Austin Lake Sailing Club; playing pickleball in Ludington and Timber Pines, Florida; and kayaking on rivers around west Michigan. He loved supporting his children in their athletic and academic endeavors, attending numerous basketball, soccer, track, and volleyball events at Vicksburg Community Schools. Jim was a Spartan, graduating in 1972 with a degree in multidisciplinary social science, and enjoyed cheering on the green and white with many extended family and friends. Through his career, including as a project manager at Salespage Technologies, Jim commended himself to many through his integrity, intelligence, and work ethic.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Kathy Kuk; his children, Leah Charney (Dave), Justin Kuk (Rebekah), and Evan Kuk (Abbie); his grandchildren, Reese, Brooke, Marison, Evelyn, Lydia, Tatum, and Pryor; his sisters Debbie Eggleston (Dave) and Diana Hill (Freddie); and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Ruth Kuk, and his preborn daughter, Sarah.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 10th at United Methodist Church of Ludington, 5810 E. Bryant Rd.. A visitation will be held at 11 a.m. with the service at noon and a luncheon to follow at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friends of Ludington State Park to support efforts to share Jim’s love for Ludington and Lake Michigan. (https://
Arrangements were entrusted to Grace Funeral Home and Cremation Services. www.GraceCremations.
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