Jerry Lee Maxson, 86, of Coldwater, passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024 at his home on Iyopawa Island, Coldwater Lake.
In accordance to his wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
He was born October 17, 1937 to Ralph and Dorotha (Lockwood) Maxson in Girard, MI. Jerry was a graduate of Coldwater High School and continued on to also graduate from Western Michigan University.
December 18, 1999, Jerry married Karen Whitmill in Waterford, MI and she survives.
Jerry was a 3rd Class Airman of the United States Air National Guard and retired from General Motors after 42 dedicated years as an industrial engineer. Though most of his working career was in the Flint area, Jerry’s work also brought him and his family to Saudi Arabia where he spent 3 years with the Bechtel Corporation.
Jerry was a 32nd degree Mason and life member of the Flint Masonic Lodge-Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Scottish Rite and was a devoted advocate of the Big Brother Organization. As a proud member of TKE Fraternity, Jerry always made sure to stay in contact with his fraternity brothers as often as he could.
Ultimately returning to Coldwater, where he and his family were deeply rooted, Jerry was a faithful member of the Coldwater Presbyterian Church and thoroughly enjoyed the “lake life;” many summers and fond memories were made and shared boating with his friends and family. With a passion for the outdoors, Jerry served as a member of the Branch County Conservation and Sportsman Club that complemented his interests for deer hunting, snow skiing, golfing, and traveling.
Having learned to weld, he also enjoyed simply tinkering in his shop when he could. Jerry greatly cherished his dogs, but above all he deeply loved his family.
In addition to his wife Karen Maxson of Coldwater, Jerry leaves behind his children Julie (Michael) Selep of Bolingbrook, IL, Christine (Brandon) LaBelle of Mt. Pleasant, MI; his stepchildren Daniel Whitmill of Wellston, MI, Kathleen Tierney of Frankfort, MI; his siblings Lowell (Sue) Maxson of Coldwater, Hal (Roxanne) Maxson of Hastings, MI; his grandchildren Morgan (Gavin) Martin, Hannah (Carter) Price, Abby Rowden, Josh Selep; the mother of his children Connie Wood of Coldwater; Steven Cadwallader of Fountain Hills, AZ and Troy Stewart of Bay City, MI both of whom Jerry cherished as his own sons; his loving nieces and nephews including his special nephew Jim Maxson of Coldwater and many wonderful friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his infant son John Maxson.
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