James Raymond Sloan

East Tawas, Michigan
September 5, 1920 - March 4, 2021

Services

A military service and burial will take place in Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI at a later date.

Obituary Notice

James Raymond Sloan
Age 100, of East Tawas, MI, formerly of Oscoda, MI passed away on Thursday, March 4, 2021 at the Medilodge in Tawas City, MI. He was born on September 5, 1920 in Iosco County, MI to the late Jesse and Emma (Bygden) Sloan. James was raised in East Tawas and graduated from East Tawas High School. He married Beverly Jeanne DeGrow in Enid, OK on June 19, 1943. James entered the military in September of 1942 and served as a P-51 fighter pilot of the 8th Army Air Force while stationed in England. James flew combat missions before being forced down. He survived being a prisoner of war in Germany by escaping and making his way back to allied lines. Following his discharge from the military, James established several businesses in the local area. For many years, he owned and operated the Gulf Gas Station in Oscoda and later, Sloan’s Alignment in AuSable. James was an avid golfer and played senior softball well into his 80’s and also played in the Senior World Series. He and his wife, Beverly retired to Florida for many years before returning back to Oscoda. James was very proud of his military service and attended many reunions of the 8th Army Air Force throughout the years as well. He is survived by his sons, James (Virginia) Sloan of Oscoda and Thomas (Donna) Sloan of Traverse City; daughter, Susan Sloan of Hollywood, FL; grandchildren, Kari (Ed) Belanger, Jeff (Megan) Sloan, Kristen (Kelly) Irwin and Tricia Sloan; great-grandchildren, Sam, Emma and Maycie Belanger and Ellie, Ariana and Lilith Irwin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly J. Sloan. A military service and burial will take place in Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI at a later date.

Cemetery

Great Lakes National Cemetery - Holly, Michigan

Condolences

GOD BLESS Jimmy Sloan, I was personally associated with Jim and he was a determined man, determined to accomplished the task at hand. Jim told me after he escaped from a POW camp in Germany it was a long time before he could ever swallow a potato again! What exciting war stories he could tell, like being shot out of his P-51 at 20,000 ft and unconscious then suddenly waking up to find his parachute deploying.Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, – and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of – wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there,
I’ve chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air…

Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew –
And, while with silent, lifting mind I’ve trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.

REST IN PEACE JIM SLOAN
— EDWARD S DAVISON JR
My husband and I knew Jimmy as a great guy, with great stories. He was a guest in our house, but he was the entertainer. A great guy who lived a great life.
— Maureen Rudel

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