James passed away at the age of 68 on August 20, 2019.

Beloved and proud father of Michigan State Trooper Frank (fiancé Katherine).

Loving brother of Michael, Diane, Nancy and Karen.

Dear son of the late Arthur and the late Gladys.

James will also be missed by the Tafralian, Karakashian, Mahakian & Melikian families, the Sky Diving & Aviation Communities and all that knew him.

Visitation Wednesday 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. Prayer Service at St. Johns Armenian Church, 22001 Northwestern Highway, Southfield.

In state Thursday 10 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. funeral service at church.

In lieu of flower memorial donations to International Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame
1648 Taylor Road, Suite 514
Port Orange, FL 32128
(407) 900-9997
www.skydivingmuseum.org
Make Check To: Int'l Skydiving Museum & Hall of Fame
or

2. Fallen Trooper Memorial Fund
(Dedicated To the Upkeep of the Memorial At the Training Academy)
MSPTA
1715 Abbey Road, Suite B
East Lansing, MI 48823
Make Check To: MSTAF-FTM


James Tafralian, was born April 10, 1951 to Arthur and Gladys Tafralian in Detroit MI, and was raised with his siblings Michael, Karen, Nancy and Diane.

He Graduated from Southfield High School in 1968. He took up skydiving in the late 1960's making many lasting friendships through this pastime and immersing himself in related hobbies and endeavors including building parachutes and packs.
He purchased his first airplane in the early 1980's and made a career as an award-winning AP/IA servicing small aircraft. He was known for his meticulous and uncompromising work and was regarded as an expert in the maintenance of Meyers aircraft in particular.

His son Frank was born in 1988 and was his greatest source of joy. They were "joined at the hip" and relished time spent together hunting, grilling, and telling stories. He was immensely proud of Frank's accomplishments and of his role as a Michigan State Trooper.

James was a self-sufficient man who could fix anything, hunt, garden, and can foods. He would often generously share these talents with friends and family.
James died with along with his close friend, Flip Colmer doing something they both loved, flying.

Visitation
Wednesday, August 28, 2019

5:00 PM 8/28/2019 5:00:00 PM - 9:00 PM 8/28/2019 9:00:00 PM

St. John's Armenian Church

22001 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48075

Prayers at 7:30 p.m.

St. John's Armenian Church

22001 Northwestern Highway Southfield 48075 MI

United States Visitation
Thursday, August 29, 2019

10:00 AM 8/29/2019 10:00:00 AM - 11:00 AM 8/29/2019 11:00:00 AM

St. John's Armenian Church

22001 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48075

St. John's Armenian Church

22001 Northwestern Highway Southfield 48075 MI

United States Service
Thursday, August 29, 2019

11:00 AM 8/29/2019 11:00:00 AM - 11:40 AM 8/29/2019 11:40:00 AM

St. John's Armenian Church

22001 Northwestern Highway
Southfield, MI 48075

St. John's Armenian Church

22001 Northwestern Highway Southfield 48075 MI

United States