Jon Alan Kosht, age 82, passed away on October 17, 2022, after battling cancer.
He was born in Saginaw, MI, on December 5, 1939, to John and Gladys (Nichols) Kosht.
After graduating from Arthur Hill High School, he served overseas in the U.S. Navy, stationed onboard the USS Yorktown. While serving in the Navy, he met and married Laurel Hoffman.
Upon completing his service with the Navy, he and Laurel returned to Michigan and settled in Sanford, to begin his career at Consumers Energy. During this time, he attended Delta College and Saginaw Valley State earning his degree in business administration. He left Consumers after working there for 23 years, with increasing areas of responsibility.
Jon then joined Michigan Gas Company serving first as vice president and eventually being promoted to president. He was transferred to the parent company, SEMCO Energy Gas Company, and served as its president until retiring in 2002. After retirement, Jon served as the village manager for the Village of Lexington for several years. Jon moved to Gaylord in 2018 and resided there until his passing.
Jon enjoyed all things with the water and loved to spend his free time working on or relaxing on his boats. He loved to spend his time vacationing with Laurel, and being with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Though he was retired for 20+ years, he had a strong desire to help his communities. Whether it be as village manager or association president, he did this by providing leadership and financial acumen to help deliver more value to the residents and improve the communities.
He is survived by his wife, Laurel; his sister, Kathleen; four children, Michael Kosht, David (Teri) Kosht, Matthew (Dayna) Kosht, and Danial (Julie) Kosht; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Jon was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Patricia.
At this time, his family has chosen to remember him privately. A service for Jon will be held in the spring of 2023.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jon may be made to the refurbishment of the Lexington Municipal Cemetery Chapel online a https://lexingtoncemetery.wixsite.com/mich/make-a-donation.
Arrangements were entrusted to Nelson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, P.O. Box 1548, Gaylord, MI 49734.
7 comments on “Jon A. Kosht”
John and I will always remember Jon as a force for his humor, leadership, and love of life. We enjoyed our times with Jon at the Mt Pleasant Casino, Arizona, Whitey’s, and at our home in Escanaba. My John worked with Jon for a time at Consumer’s Power and knew him as a colleague and friend back then. He was a great guy and a good person. We will miss him. Our heartfelt sympathy to his family. Sincerely, John and Carol Abramson
I was born & raised in Lexington, Mi, and moved back to Lexington in 1994 and had a house built. Little did I know that the house across the street from me was being built for John & Laurel. They were great neighbors, but I got to know
John better while he was a Village Manager & I was on the Lexington Municipal Cemetery Board. We are in the process of updating the Chapel that sits on the cemetery. It was built in 1927, a beautiful building! My condolences to the family for the loss of John. My thanks to the family for helping us maintain our beautiful Chapel.
Jon was a stalwart friend and mentor to me. He gave me the opportunity to explore where I could go and what I could become, and then helped me achieve it. My love to all his family.
Jon was a stalwart friend and mentor to me. He provided me with the opportunity to see where I could go and what I could achieve, and then gave me the support to do so.
I remember Jon and Laurel with a warmth in my heart. They used to babysit my Traci Lynn when we lived downtown Sanford. I remember Jon driving through the Bank’s drive through window with Traci on his lap steering ! Laurel, I hope you are well. My love & Condolenes❤️ Jeanne Seelhoff Sperow Mosher
My father (RIP) and Jon served together on the USS YORKTOWN and we went to Michigan to meet this man and his family when I was a teen. I will never forget that trip and how kind Jon and Lolly were. And Jon’s kindness towards my family when my father passed away.
Jeanne (Massicotte) Freer
I had the pleasure of working with Jon while he was a SEMCO. His company was required to file a gas cost acquision plan and a gas cost reconciliation plan each year. It was my section’s responsibility, in the Gas Division of the Michigan Public Service Commission, to review the plans and reconciliations each year. We never had a problem with the plans and reconciliations because Jon’s leadership of his company, his honesty and his integrity. I was a pleasure working with him to assure his company’s customers had an adequate supply of natural gas at reasonable prices. I just wish that all presidents were as conscientious and caring as Jon was. I’m certain that he will be sorely missed by his family and those he worked so hard to get the best outcomes for. He demonstrated that he truly cared and I will miss his example of leading a righteous life.