Gerald "Bud" L. Darrow

Gerald “Bud” Lee Darrow, 88, of Mackinaw City, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 2, 2018 at Pinecrest Village in Mackinaw City surrounded by family and friends.

Bud was born on September 29, 1929 in Rockford, MI, the son of Glenn and Beatrice (Porter) Darrow. He grew up in Mackinaw City and attended Mackinaw City Public Schools. After he graduated from high school he moved to Grand Rapids to play on an intramural basketball team.  Soon after, he enlisted in the military and proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War earning a Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars. After his return from the military, Bud began a long career as a crane operator through the Operating Engineers Local 324.  At that time, he began dating Mackinaw City local Martha Ranville and the two married in 1960, making their home in Mackinaw City.  During his time as a crane operator, Bud was integral in completing many large projects including the Mackinac Bridge, Dow Chemical and the Ludington Power Plant. When he was not working through his union he worked with his father and brothers for Darrow Bros. Excavating which was more of a pleasure than work. 

Upon retirement, Bud was able to relish time with his grandchildren, cultivate his raspberries and assist Martha in making jam and pies for all.   He was an active member of the Masonic Lodge of Mackinaw City, the American Legion Post 159 and the Operating Engineers Local 324. Bud’s greatest joy in life was to be with family and friends whether that was a party, a holiday, making pancakes or playing a round of golf.  He loved his time spent at the family hunting camp on Marquette Island.

Bud is survived by his wife, Martha, two sons, Dean (Carol Lee) and Brian, one daughter, Lana (Chris) Jaggi, eight grandchildren, Douglas (April), Tara (Tim), Sara (Sam), Lindsay, Dean, Klaus (Brooke), Collin (Janessa) and Caleb (Courtney), seven great grandchildren, Morgan, McLain, Dakota, Taylor, Charlie, Carter and Dean, three siblings, Duane (Dorothy), Nancy (Dick), and Pat (Suzanne), in-laws, Katie, Lorahdelle, Jan, David, Celeste, Edward, Bill, Fred and Dennis, his ex-son-in-law, Nick, his ex-daughter-in-law, Julie as well as many cherished nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings, Don, Jim, Dick, Glenda and Perry and in-laws, Irving and Eleanor, Vivian, Faith, Katherine, Aurilie, Jack and Rosalie and Georgianna. 

A memorial service will be announced in the spring. Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in memory of Gerald should consider the Church of the Straits Food Pantry.  The family was served by the Nordman-Christian Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gerald "Bud" L. Darrow, please visit our floral store.