Obituary - James L. Kowall, Founder and First President of AICC

James Lionel Kowall, a principal founder and first president of AICC, passed away on Monday, August 17, in Bellaire, Michigan. He was 94. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Elva.

Jim and Elva owned Great Northern Packaging, Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Jim was the CEO. In the early 1970’s, he was one of the principal visionaries and founders of the Association of Independent Corrugated Converters (AICC). He was AICC’s first president, serving in 1974-1975 and was inducted into AICC’s Hall of Fame in 2000 during the inaugural AICC-TAPPI SuperCorrExpo.

A veteran of World War II, Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was assigned duty at Pearl Harbor where he had full control of defensive materials for all the ships in the Central Pacific.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Jim’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Photo Caption: Jim Kowall, then-CEO of Great Northern Packaging, Grand Rapids, Mich., shown at the podium of AICC’s first meeting in St. Louis, November 1974. He was the principal founder and first president of the Association.