Dr. James Calvin Waltz, 89, died on January 5, 2025. He grew up in Grape, MI where his parents owned and operated a small grocery store. He attended Dundee High School, graduating in 1952. He attended Michigan State University, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in 1956, before attending and graduating from the Evangelical Theological Seminary in 1958 and being ordained as a pastor. He returned to Michigan State where he completed his master's and then a doctorate in History in 1963. He held teaching positions at Albion College in Albion, MI, Inter-American University in Puerto Rico, and also pursued postgraduate studies at Princeton University and Harvard University before settling in Ypsilanti, MI with his wife and three children. He joined the faculty at Eastern Michigan University and served for 32 years in various roles such as Professor of History & Religion, Acting Head of the History Department, and eventually Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. He also completed an NEH Fellowship at University of Chicago. He served for a year as editor of Michigan Academician, and authored two books and numerous academic articles. He was active in the community as a Cub Scout Cubmaster and youth baseball league coach, and volunteered extensively at local charity Friends in Deed.

He was preceded in death by his parents Morrill "Johnny" Waltz and Margaret (Gephart) Waltz; and his brother Bill. He is survived by his wife Malinda, sons Dave, Jon, and Tim; and grandchildren Joelle, Jacob, Bill, Andy, Heather, Liz, and Allie.

Donations in his memory may be given to the Dr. James C. Waltz Endowed Scholarship in Arts & Sciences at EMU ( https://www.emich.edu/foundation/give , enter 02681 in search funds box) or the endowed James Waltz Fellowship in History at MSU  ( https://www.givingto.msu.edu/gift enter AN2027 in search funds box).