Jerry McLellan

Humble, kind, and compassionate, Jerry McLellan lived a life rich in family and friends. Jerry was known for his kindness toward others, unwavering moral compass, and dry wit, which inspired much laughter for many. Whether sailing the shorelines of Lake Michigan, spending time with family at his cottage, cheering on his loved one's endeavors, or lending his ear or advice when sought, Jerry lived wholeheartedly. In doing so, he proved a powerful role model for all who were blessed to know him. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, Jerry will long be remembered and so very missed.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe in 1937, America focused on decreasing the unemployment rate, rebuilding its economy, and celebrating the engineering marvel of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge. Nowhere was there more to celebrate than in the home of Edward and Marion (Prior) McLellan as they welcomed their son Jerry on September 19 in Detroit, Michigan.

The second of the four McLellan kids, Jerry learned very early the value of hard work as his dad struggled to provide for the family through his landscaping business. His mother stayed home to raise the kids, provide a loving home, and was an excellent cook. The family enjoyed close relationships and a rich musical life. Jerry grew up living upstairs from his grandparents, aunt, and uncle. His grandparents set an early example of structure and moderation but provided great support to the family. Jerry sang with his sister, Eleanor, and was Grayling's elementary school safety patrol captain. Even at a young age, Jerry valued work and honoring one's commitments.

A strong swimmer, Jerry lettered on the Pershing High School swim team and participated in high dive. Jerry's aunt quipped that he walked to school backward because he didn't want to go, but he found that he enjoyed sports and music. After struggling through school, he attended community college for a year to get the grades that he needed to be accepted into his #1 college choice. He found his stride after being accepted by the University of Michigan. Jerry paid for college by working for his dad's landscaping business and other side jobs.

While studying at UofM, Jerry was elected to the Civil Engineering Honor Fraternity "Chi Epsilon" and the Engineering Honor Society "Tau Beta Pi," the oldest engineering honor society and second oldest collegiate honor society in the United States. In 1961, he graduated near the top of his class with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. After working for a year, having saved enough money, Jerry moved to California where he attended Stanford University. He worked off the rest of his tuition and earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1963.

After Stanford, Jerry secured a job with Precast Schokbeton in Kalamazoo as a Quality Control Engineer and Chief Engineer until 1974. From 1974 until 2001, he worked for Walker Parking Consultant in Kalamazoo, where he started as a project manager and eventually became the company's vice president. His responsibilities included structural design, quality control, and risk management of bridges, parking garages, and other civil projects.

In 1963, while working at Precast, Jerry had the pleasure of meeting his future wife, Nancy Dunham, the plant accountant. Jerry knew he needed to be nice to Nancy as she wrote his paychecks from the start. One evening after work, they joined their coworkers at a nearby restaurant and danced while he was still wearing his heavy work boots. In time, Jerry eased his way into Nancy's life, and her two daughters eventually welcomed him into their hearts.

After sharing a companionable relationship for many years, Jerry and Nancy were married on November 27, 1985. As a family, they were in for quite an adventure when Jerry bought property in Elk Rapids on Grand Traverse Bay, where Jerry and Nancy built a cottage for themselves. They spent most weekends and vacations at the cottage while developing the property for many years. Once they completed construction, they divided their focus between family time on the beach and sailing. They took a sailing class and bought a sailboat they named "Wind Song." Traverse City and Elk Rapids became their home ports, and for several years, their vacations centered on one-week cruises to Northern Lake Michigan ports such as Charlevoix, Petoskey, and Beaver Island, and up into the North Channel. Jerry poured his heart into his time "Up-North"; it was always their family's most cherished place, where many of their favorite family times were shared.

In addition to their time at the cottage and on the boat, Jerry enjoyed traveling to the West Coast states to visit family and taking trips to Finland, the Netherlands, and Greece. A passionate outdoorsman, Jerry embraced many different ways of exploring the outdoors. After their girls began downhill skiing, Jerry and Nancy purchased skis and learned how to ski downhill on a business trip to Colorado. Jerry also enjoyed cross-country skiing, eventually completing the Vasa Ski Race at Traverse City and the North American Birkebinder Ski Race in Wisconsin twice – each almost 40 miles long. Jerry and Nancy played tennis socially, often at the Kalamazoo Racquet Club, and Jerry ran the Detroit Marathon and a marathon in Finland. Jerry enjoyed recreational biking for many years, culminating at age 62 with a cross-country adventure with friends. Riding from San Diego, California, to St. Augustine, Florida, the 3000-mile trip from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean took great perseverance.

Jerry was an avid University of Michigan and Stanford University fan who loved to cheer on his favorite football and basketball teams. He encouraged all to watch the games and shared the love of good competition with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Proud to witness his family's success, he avidly followed the sporting endeavors of his grandsons, Shane and Ryan. Most recently, Jerry gave excellent advice, especially for swimming and running to his great-granddaughter, Lauren with whom he would debrief after each of her competitive events. Jerry shared this passion for sports with Nancy. Completely devoted to Nancy, Jerry lovingly cared for her day and night when she became ill at the end of her life.

Never one to demand the spotlight, Jerry was an attentive listener who used his words wisely. When he spoke, it meant something. Logical and observant, Jerry collected data about daily life just for fun, and everyone at Friendship Village came to love him. Jerry immersed himself in projects at Friendship Village through taking leadership roles in their scholarship program, as treasurer, and in the development of the "Woods" project. He never lost his intensity for work, attention to detail, and love of a good spreadsheet.

Jerry led with logic first in all things followed by his sterling morality and inspired others to do the same. As we celebrate his life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in carrying his legacy of adventure, laughter, compassionate listening, and devoted companionship forward. In each moment we enjoy Lake Michigan's splendor, gather outdoors with family, listen more than we speak, ride our bikes, ski, or travel with our beloved, we keep Jerry's memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Jerry McLellan, of Kalamazoo, age 86, died on September 13, 2024. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; and brothers: Robert McLellan and Ted McLellan. Surviving are his children: Pamela Thomas and Barbara Kesler; grandchildren: Shane (Riley) Thomas, Ryan (Tiara) Thomas, and Nicole Kesler; great-grandchildren: Lauren, Emberly, Avery, Harper, Noa, Hallie, and a great-grandson on the way; sister, Eleanor Roleston; and nieces and nephews.

Please join us at a Life Story Celebration where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Saturday, September 21, from 4-6 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Celebrate Jerry's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.