James "Jim" Galen Nyquist

James Galen Nyquist of Saginaw, formerly of Gwinn Beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away suddenly on January 6, 2019 at St. Marys Hospital in Standish. He was 69 years old. Jim was born on December 21, 1949, to the late Donald Oscar and Phyllis Dorothy (Atwell) Nyquist. From an early age, he developed a deep passion and talent for music. In high school and college, Galen (as he was known in his hometown) played in various groups, including the Vertigo and the P.M. Four, singing and playing keyboards, drums and trumpet. He would attend Northern Michigan University, where he received a Masters Degree in Music Education. Accepting a job at SS Peter and Paul High School, he moved to Saginaw, MI, where he met his first wife Joan (Thomas) Harris and had three sons; Matthew, Philip, and Stephen. He would go on to teach at Webber Junior High and South Middle School, impacting thousands of lives with his passion for and knowledge of music. He also founded and played in the Saginaw Area City Band. Jims winding road lead to Mickie Sylvester, whom he married on June 27, 1998. They shared an unmistakable chemistry and a deep love of Jesus. They moved to Alger, MI, and spent time feeding the wildlife, volunteering at the food pantry, drinking coffee, and playing cribbage. He then became choir director at First United Methodist Church of West Branch, where he brought his love of music and devout Christianity together. Jim loved to laugh and loved even more to make people laugh, and had a quick, sarcastic wit. He loved bowling, deer camp, attending baseball games, and blues and jazz music. Although he lived most of his life in the Lower Peninsula, he was a Yooper through and through, and enjoyed spending summers with his sons in his hometown. He was an educator, a philanthropist, a goofball, a friend, an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. He was dependable, hard-working, funny, humble, compassionate and empathetic. Jim Nyquist was an amazing human being. Surviving him are his wife, Mickie; his children, Matthew, Philip, Stephen, Ashley, Rachael, and Ryan; his grandchildren, Gabriel, Caleb, Grace and Maximus; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Donald and Gary; and a son-in-law, Paul. A Funeral Liturgy will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at St. Dominic Parish Ss. Peter and Paul Church. Rev. Fr. Jack Johnson and Rev. Fr. Steve Gavit will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow in St. Andrew Cemetery. He will lie in state at the church on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to the time of the service. Family and friends are welcome to visit at the W. L. Case and Company Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Rd. Saginaw, MI, on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Vigil Service will take place at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, led by John Andrusiak. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Saginaw Rescue Mission or Ogemaw County Food Pantry (checks payable to OCCF).

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company
201 North Miller Road
Saginaw, MI
United States 48609