Jackie Lee “Jack” Hemry, Jr., age 61, passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2023, in Gaylord, Michigan.
He was born on August 1, 1961, in Monroe, Michigan, to Jackie Lee Hemry and Lois Jean Barron. He was one of six children; Christine Frayer (Hemry), Earl (deceased), Kevin, Nancy Ellison (Hemry), and Lisa Brown (Hemry).
Jack was employed at Cooper Standard Automotive for what would have been 30 years in August of 2023. He was proudly the union financial secretary for UAW Local 388 for 15 years.
Jack married Melinda Kay Persons on July 20, 1991. They renewed their wedding vows for their 25th anniversary in July of 2016. In January 1993, they welcomed their first daughter, Kayla Louise Warren (Hemry). Three years later, in September of 1996, they welcomed their second daughter, Paige Elizabeth. Jack also had a son-in-law, Anthony Ellis Warren, and a soon-to-be son-in-law, Noah Ryan King.
Jack was an avid hunter, including, deer, bear, elk, fish, geese, many types of birds, squirrels, rabbits, and turkey. Jack enjoyed processing his own meat, making his “world-famous” summer sausage, brats, snack sticks, and “this guy’s” burgers. Jack was known for his passion for sports, formerly playing softball and often rallied others to shoot hoops during breaks at work. Jack was a University of Michigan fan, but he found joy in watching all sports on television and in person. He was a proud father, husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend to all. He never met a stranger.
A Celebration of Life for Jack will be held, casually, on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 3:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m., at the Gaylord Eagles Club #1825, located at 515 S. Wisconsin Ave. in Gaylord, Michigan.
Flowers may be sent to the Eagles Club, and memorial donations in his honor may be given to the family to be donated in his name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI, 49734.
21 comments on “Jackie Lee Hemry, Jr.”
Mindy and family, I’m so sorry for your loss! Jack will be missed! He was a great guy! Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!
Sorry to hear about Jack’s passing. I worked with him for many years at Cooper Standard. He served as the financial secretary for Local 388 while I was president. He always had a positive attitude and will be missed.
Mindy and family, Very sorry to hear about Jackie. I knew him and worked with him for many years.
He always talked about you, Kayla, and Paige. He was a great family man. Jackie was a very
hard worker and had a great sense of humor. He will be dearly missed! God Bless him.
Joe and Marie
Hey cousin!! Child hood times from catching bumble bees to fishing in the river to many more stories, you will be missed. But I have a ton of memories. Ray Jr
Sorry to hear about Jack’s passing. I worked with him at Cooper and he was the financial secretary for UAW local 388 when I was president. He was always a positive guy who was a friend to all. He will be missed.
So sorry for your loss, Jack was always a kind person who was great to work with. He loved his Family, and Yes he loved the great outdoors, He will be greatly missed, Hugs!
I’m sending my love and prayers your way as you all go through this difficult season. I’m so very sorry for your huge loss.
Mindy I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. I didn’t know him but know from family that yours was a true love story 💕
Words will not help but I pray that all your great memories bring you peace in your heart and carry you thru this sad and difficult time! Sending my thoughts and prayers..and hugs!
Paige and Family,
You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May your memories of your father and husband bring you comfort in the days ahead.
Aunt Joni
Jack was a great guy played softball on many teams with him wish I would have got to see him again but I will someday God Speed my friend.
Jeff Thomas
Mindy and family. So sorry for your loss. I grew up with him and have many fond memories with him. He was a very good friend and an awesome person. I now wish I would have kept in better touch with him but I believe we will see him again on the other side.
At one time I was also a Cooper co-worker. Jack was an awesome guy, never heard him say an unkind word. Remember how he spoke of his family. His three girls ( wife and daughters) were the love and light of his heart. So very sorry for your loss. He will be greatly missed.
Mindy and family,
I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jack for almost 30 years at Cooper. He will be truly missed😢 Alway whistling and smiling!
Very sorry for your loss🙏
Mindy and family, I’m so sorry to hear of this tragedy. Jack was a wonderful person. I’ll miss his great sense of humor at work. He made the days better. He was a hard worker. He will be sorely missed. My thoughts are with you and yours in this difficult time.
To jacks Family. I am so sorry for your Loss of Jack 😥😥. I am so shocked to hear of his passing. I did not know jack personally, but I did know him as one of my favorite customers at Meijer. I work in customer service there. He would make it a point to make sure to say hi to me no matter where I was or even if I did not wait on him. I always knew he was in the store because of his whistling. He was such a friendly man, and I will miss seeing him and I will miss hearing that whistle😥😥. You are all in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Bethany Schlappi, customer service, Gaylord Meijer
Mindy and girls, we are so sorry for your loss. Jackie was truly one outstanding great guy. I have worked and considered Jack a friend for almost 30 years. Thinking back I can not come up with one time he was in a bad mood. You knew Jackie just enjoyed life. His smile, positive energy, and his willingness to make other people happy was a a unique trait of Jackie’s! We now know heaven is going to be a little more lively with our football and NASCAR bookie cheering on his favorite teams!!
Mindi, I am so very sorry for your loss and this shocking news. Please know that we all liked Jack so much and he will be missed. Praying that God will get you through this difficult time. Take care and hang on to the memories. No one can take those away. Love You.
Mindy, Kayla and Paige. We are so sorry for your loss of your dear husband and dad. As so many have said, Jack was always the one who could be counted on to be a beam of sunshine every time we saw him.
Although we only became part of your family a few years ago, Jack and you always made us feel so welcomed.
Jack will be dearly missed by all who knew him, and we are all a bit better for having known him.
Barry, Jeanne, Erin and all the Cheneys
The years I knew Jack, the best were the party years of the late 1970s and 1980s. Jack was one of the the most sincere and down to earth persons I ever knew. Jack had the ability to excel at anything he ever tried, and the thing he excelled at best was being a great human being. His spirit remains alive in the soles of those who knew him. Just like Fred bear, in the wind, he’s still a live.
Mindy and Family,
Just found out about Jack’s passing and my heart breaks for you and your family. I worked with Jack for over twenty years and not a day passed by without his good natured smile and yelling out my name just to see if I would come over and see what he wanted. He loved you and his daughters to no end, and spoke of his family all of the time. I wish you comfort and sweet memories as you grieve his passing, and ask God to Bless you and your family. May he rest in peace.
Mindy and Family,
Sending my condolences for the family and loved ones. I worked with Jack for years and played softball as well. He was so fun and always happy. If you knew Jack you knew his family he loved to talk about you all. May your memories carry you through the difficult times ahead. He will be missed greatly by all who knew him. God Bless you all. Love & Prayers to all. Glenda