James Tye

James Joseph Tye, 75, of Royal Oak, passed away on September 4, 2024, after a short battle with cancer. He was born on July 31,1949 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Joseph and La Verne Tye. He retired from a 29-year career at U.S. Army Tank-automotive & Armaments Command to work as a full-time genealogist in his retirement. Jim was known as the family historian, researching his family tree around the country and throughout Europe. He amassed thousands of pages on the family he held dear. He cataloged numerous cemetery records and helped people from all over the world research their family trees. He was a founding member and president of the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan. He published and copyrighted the book, The Detroit Poles which is a bibliography of newspaper articles and select books, pamphlets, and commemorative publications. Everyone who knew Jim admired his endless energy and respect for others, never letting his health problems get him down. Always smiling, he endeared himself to many relatives and friends around the world. On his first trip to Poland in 1971, Jim met Cardinal Karol Jozef Wojtyla, who later became Pope John Paul II. Jim met him again when he visited the Detroit area. He often prayed to Pope John Paul II because they shared similar health issues. One of Jim's last wishes was to see the wild Bisons at Yellowstone National Park, and see Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the Badlands National Park. He was able to take this trip in September of 2019, and he absolutely loved it. Doting father of Barbara, Melissa, and Joseph (Koko), grandfather of Maliyah and Robert. Brother of Joyce and Robert (Liz). Longtime companion of Leslie Gilbertson. Godfather of Joseph Serowik. Also leaves many cousins. Friends and family will gather on Saturday, September 28, from 3:00 pm until time of a Celebration of Life at 6:00 pm at Wm. Sullivan and Son Funeral Directors, 705 W. Eleven Mile Rd. (4 blks. E. of Woodward), Royal Oak, 48067. Burial will take place at Resurrection Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan. For those wishing to honor Jim's memory, please consider donating to the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan in his name.

James Tye

July 31, 1949 - September 4, 2024