JERRY LACOMBE

Jerry was born in Alpena on May 25, 1940 to the late Francis and Ethel (Reynolds) LaComb. He attended Hinks School and graduated in 1958 from Alpena High School. On Sept. 24, 1960, he married Kay Herron at First United Methodist Church in Alpena.

Left to cherish the life and memories of this gentle, loving man is Jerry’s wife of 58 years, Kay; sons, Craig, Todd (Cathy) of Hubbard Lake, Kent of Riverside, Calif.; his grandchildren, Chantale, Trevor, Chloe and Logan LaCombe; siblings, Neil (Pat) LaCombe, Mable Hall, Gladys (David) Suszek; brother-in-law, Glen (Karen) Herron; many nieces and nephews who called Jerry their “favorite.”

As a young boy working with his father and brothers, using a team of horses, cutting trees, peeling bark, and selling the posts from their home, Jerry learned a work ethic he practiced until he became ill. The week before he became ill, Jerry cut and stacked wood to have ready for winter heat. Jerry loved caring for his hobby farm at the corner of peace and contentment. On his farm he grew strawberries, raspberries, and several years back, cucumbers for shipment downstate. He enjoyed his roadside stand, where he would meet lifelong friends who yearly returned for his heaping-full quarts of strawberries. Jerry’s happiest vacations weren’t in a week of travel, but to don his work clothes and tend to plant and weeding his garden. One year, Jerry started maples from the little seed pods that blew onto the ground. Now these tiny seeds adorn his yard with towering shade trees. In his earlier years, he raised Arabian horses for riding pleasure with his sons and to sell.

Jerry, always positive, found the good in every person he met. He would look forward to the retiree’s breakfast, where he could mingle with his longtime working buddies. After 28 ¢ years at National Gypsum, and 16 years at Lafarge, he made many lasting friendships. Even in their sometimes-disappointing playing seasons, Jerry remained a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions. Jerry loved working with his family and at his church. He first worked at the little church which now stands at the Jesse Besser Museum and then in 1988 at the new Spratt United Methodist Church on M-65. Jerry was always on call for maintenance, repairs, and keeping the grounds trimmed and landscaped.

Jerry was preceded in death by his brothers, George Stevens, Roy LaComb; sister, Theodocia Tadajewski; father and mother-in-law, Frank and Beulah Herron.

Visitation will be on Friday, Oct. 12 at Bannan Funeral Home from 2-8 p.m. and continue Saturday, Oct. 13 at Spratt United Methodist Church from 11 a.m. until the funeral service at 12 p.m. with Pastor Lisa Kelly officiating.

Interment: Spratt Cemetery

Memorials: Spratt United Methodist Church