James Michael Nowak

James (Jim) Michael Nowak, 76, of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, died on September 7, 2026, in Hilton Head.

He was born on March 27, 1950, in Grayling, Michigan, to Felix and Lottie (Fluder) Nowak. He was the youngest of their six children.

Jim was raised on the family’s farm in Gaylord, Michigan, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic School throughout his childhood.

On June 24, 1972, shortly after graduating from Wayne State University in Detroit, he married Kathryn (Kathy) Bailey of Franklin, Michigan.

Jim had a deep-seated, Polish farm boy work ethic which served him throughout his career in building materials sales. Over the years, new opportunities took the family to Toledo, Ohio; Royal Oak, Michigan; Lexington, Kentucky; Zanesville, Ohio; and, finally, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. His greatest professional achievement and labor of love was the success of Briarwood Millwork Company in Zanesville, which he and Kathy owned and operated for 31 years.

He loved living in Hilton Head and in retirement found a new pastime, driving his pickup truck around the island and photographing wildlife, particularly birds.

Jim will be remembered for his commitment to Kathy, his overwhelmingly tender heart for the children of the family, his reliable readiness for cocktail hour and a delicious meal, and his faux-grumpy (and sometimes, real-grumpy) sense of humor.

In addition to Kathy, he is survived by daughters Amy (James) Franks and Courtney (Azad) Khan; grandchildren Kirsten (Austin) Israel, Sabine Khan, and Eli Khan; great-grandchildren Graham Israel and Bryar Israel; and brothers Gene (Nancy) Nowak and Jack (Sandie) Nowak.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents, as well as siblings Bernie (Earl) Greenman, Richard (Dorothy) Nowak, and Jerry Nowak.

A memorial service will be celebrated on Saturday, October 17, at 11 a.m., at First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head Island, with a reception to follow at the church. Jim will be laid to rest in the columbarium at First Presbyterian Church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to The Deep Well Project of Hilton Head (deepwellproject.org) or the Boys and Girls Club of Hilton Head Island (bgchiltonhead.org). Islandfuneralhome.com