Jack A. Coles

Jack Coles was a man who was known to have a sparkle in his eye and at times, a spring in his step as he loved to joke around and possessed a spirit of good-hearted fun that radiated to others around him. Jack was a man who would speak his mind, and he lived each day to its fullest even though life wasnt always easy. Jack was a man of great strength of character who was well respected by all who were blessed enough to have crossed his path. Life during the 1920s was marked with great change within the culture of our nation as the decade ushered in flappers and speakeasies, but also the prevalence of gangsters and crime that brought both enjoyment and trials to the face of our nation. Frank and Anna (Stone) Coles, of Sullivan Township located in Muskegon, Michigan, were preparing for their own time of change as well; as Anna was due to give birth to their baby at any time. They were indeed blessed on June 4, 1927 with the healthy birth of their son, Jack Allen who entered the world aided by the town midwife. Jack was one of what would be a total of 13 children in his family including three brothers and nine sisters who were all supported by their father who worked as a farmer. Times during the late 1920s and 1930s were difficult for many American families as the country became tightly held in the grip of the Great Depression with the crash of the stock market on October 29, 1929. The Great Depression was particularly acute in Michigan and the agriculture industry was especially hard hit and as a result, Jack went to work on the farm after sixth grade in order to help provide for the family in any way he could. This established a strong work ethic in Jack that would follow him throughout his entire lifetime. At the age of 17, Jack also went to work as a core maker at Campbell, Wyant and Cannon, a foundry which is among the largest manufacturers of motor castings in the country, located in Muskegon Heights. Jack had a few buddies that were dating some nurses- in- training from St Marys Hospital and as a result, life was about to take an exciting detour for Jack. He was taken on a blind double date with one of these buddies and introduced to a delightful young woman named Betty Jane Stone. When their blossoming relationship was in its fifth year, Betty boldly told Jack "I'm getting married on Friday - Are you going to be there?" Sure enough, Jack was there, and they were happily married on July 21, 1951, in Grand Rapids, with their longtime friends, Shirley and Al Eppink, standing up for them. Beginning a new chapter in their lives which would span more than 50 years. The young couple was soon delighted to be blessed with the first of what would be eight children including five sons: Ivan, Tom, Robert, Frank, and John and three daughters: Mary, Betsy, and Linda. Jack continued to support his family through his work at Campbell, Wyant, and Cannon where he would work for his entire career until he retired in 1977. When Jack wasnt working or tending to the needs of his family, there were some leisure activities that he enjoyed pursuing. He loved to deer hunt and often invited family and friends to join him at the farm to hunt, although he had a strict no girls allowed policy! He enjoyed planting his gardens in the spring and other projects tended to take a backseat for a time in order to allow for this most treasured activity. In fact when he retired from CWC, to Jack, this simply meant a change in vocation as he then went to work with his son Robert at his business, Coles Construction Company. This was a wonderful arrangement for both father and son and Jack put in a hard days work, except for on Saturdays during the spring planting season! Jack seemed immune to growing older and even as recently as last summer he had a building project that got buttoned up before the cold Michigan weather set. In genuine Jack style, he even had projects lined up for this year at the young age of 81! There were things that were unique to Jack that his family and friends treasured about him. He was never afraid to speak his mind, didnt ever back down, and was respected by all who knew him. He was referred to as Dad by many of his childrens friends and could always be counted on to provide a good laugh as he was prone to tease and joke around with anyone around. He always claimed to dislike the music that was part of the newest craze yet he somehow always managed to be able to hum the tunes of the current chart toppers. Friends and family alike considered him to be among the toughest and strongest people they knew, yet he could brighten the day of anyone around him with his quick wit and generous heart. Life was not without its challenges for Jack, however, as his beloved Betty Jane died in 2007. This left a void in his life, but Jack kept on living, enjoying each day he was given. Even as he faced his own health challenges, Jack was quick to say, I have done everything I wanted to do and I am ready to move on, happy and content with my life. Jack Coles was a hard working man who also knew how to enjoy the good things in life too, embracing each moment he was given, accepting both the good and the bad. He was a man of great strength who won the hearts of all who knew him with his quick wit and his warm demeanor and he cherished every moment he spent with his friends and family. Jack felt he lived a full life and it was this spirit of contentment which his family and friends will forever embrace as the memories they have of Jack will live on in their hearts. He will be deeply missed. Jack Allen Coles died Saturday, March 28, 2009. Jacks family includes his five sons: Ivan (Doris) Coles; Robert (Judy) Coles; Frank (Becki) Coles all of Muskegon; Tom Coles and John Coles both of Hesperia; three daughters: Mary (Dennis) Katt of Muskegon; Betsy Coles; Linda (Robert) Sheets both of Hesperia; 14 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren; three sisters: Erma O'Brian of HI; Thelma Gilbert of Muskegon; Adella (Fred) Schambers of Conklin. He was preceded in death by his brothers Robert, Howard and Junior Coles; sisters Helen, Alice, Josephine, Emma, Julia and Clarabelle. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 1, 2009, 11:00 a.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home, Muskegon location Muskegon, MI with Rev. John Shine, Jr. officiating. Interment at Sunrise. Visit with Jacks family and friends on Tuesday March 31, 2009 from 2-4 p.m. & 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or make a memorial contribution to Harbor Hospice.