Gerald Marvin Freed, 87, passed away November 30, 2021, a man of four seasons. He was born, raised, and a lifelong resident of Burt Lake, Michigan.
Jerry was born January 8th, 1934 to Charles and Cora Freed. He was one of the five members of the 1st graduating class of Inland Lakes in 1952. After graduation he joined the U.S. Air Force as a weapons mechanic and after basic training in San Antonio, Texas, he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska.
After meeting Mary Marlene Dietrich for an evening of refreshments at Vivio's, she left with his car. He eventually caught up with her and he married the love of his life, on January 28, 1961. He would spend the best part of the next 60 years chasing her through life. They welcomed a daughter, Laura (Lori), and resided their entire life across from the Burt Lake Christian Church, where they were surrounded by loving family and lifelong friends.
In the early years he loved umpiring the Burt Lake Little league (The Bullets), which his brother coached and nephews were players. It made for interesting family time after controversial calls.
As an active member of the Burt Lake Community Club, you could always find him tending the corn at the annual Chicken Barbecue. He could always be found outside deer hunting, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and bird hunting with his beloved English Setter, Princess. A lifetime gardener, he was always tilling and tending his beautiful garden and his immaculate lawn, the envy of the neighborhood. The Family always teased that his truck had 500 miles on it, but the lawn mower was topping 10,000. He had a passion for building and creating. His profession was carpentry and he retired in 1999. But his work surely didn't stop. Known as the community "fix-it" man, he was always at the neighbors helping solve problems. Along with the extended "honey-do's" he found time to rebuild and repair lawnmowers. People would come from across the bridge to buy his refurbished machines.
Jerry is survived by his daughter Laura Burrer and husband Thomas of Indian River, Michigan; his grandchildren Kyle Burrer of Wyoming, Brittany Burrer and Curtis Burrus of Elmira, Michigan; his 6 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Mary Dietrich; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Mary Marlene Freed; his parents, Charles Vernon Freed and Cora Alvina Freed; his brother Clinton Millard Freed and wife Betty Freed; brother-in-laws Charles Dietrich, James Snow and Fred Stacy and sister-in-law Elaine Stacy.
A memorial and celebration of life will take place at a later date.
Memorial Donations to The Burt Lake Community Club in Jerry’s name.
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