James H. "Jim" DeGraff, age 81, of Grand Rapids, walked on on Sunday, December 24, 2023. Jim served in the US Navy and was an active participant in the Cuban Missile Crisis aboard the USS Shadwell. He worked 27 years as a Kent County Sheriff's Deputy. After retirement, Jim volunteered for ten years in the Vita tax program as a translator and interpreter for Hispanic people. He was a proud member of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Native American Tribe. As a veteran Native American, Jim participated in reparation of ancestral remains to the Pine Creek Reservation. He was a gifted artist and listened to and enjoyed all genres of music. Jim will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 50 years, Helen; his children and grandchildren, Greg DeGraff and son, Jessie and family, David DeGraff and Toni DeGraff, Kathie Grothaus and Tom, David, Brandon, and Willow Grothaus; Andrea and Scott Ward and son, Adam and family; Stuart and Jenniffer Person and Stuart Scott and Gemma Person; brother, Robert DeGraff; sister, Maryjean Williams; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, William (Sue) Peters, Anita Schimmel, Roberta (William) Gamsby; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Febian and Grace DeGraff, two sisters, Sharon O'Hara and Diane Cooper; and son-in-law, David Grothaus.  The family will greet visitors on Tuesday, January 2, from 5 - 8 pm and Wednesday, January 3, from 10 - 11 am at Stroo Funeral Home, where the funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will be in Ft. Custer National Cemetery.