Jack C. Kerby, 86, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2017 in Novi, MI, joining the love of his life, Barbara, in heaven. Jack was born in Detroit, MI to Jack and Ivah Kerby on December 16, 1930. He spent time as a youth in the Mackinaw City area and worked at the Shepler Ferry docks. Jack served as an Armaments Officer for the U.S. Air Force. He also graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio where he met a beautiful young college student named Barbara Wallace. They soon married and started their family, eventually moving to Royal Oak, MI and raising three children. Jack received an advanced degree from Case Institute of Technology in Cleveland, Ohio and served over 40 years as a mechanical engineer for Chrysler Corporation (including travel all over the world with Chrysler's international division). He was a member of the team that designed the first fuel-efficient vehicle for Chrysler (Valiant) and also served on the minivan team. He was a long-time Boy Scout leader for troop 1629 in Royal Oak and encouraged and supported many of his scouts to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, including his son Chuck and his grandson Jeff. He was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, one of the Boy Scouts' highest honors. He spent so many hours on Boy Scout campouts that it was estimated that over one year of his life was spent sleeping in tents. Jack was honored by the City of Royal Oak (including the Citizen of the Year Award in 2000) for his many charitable and civic endeavors and was active in his church, First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak. Jack's ancestors were proudly involved in lighthouse service and Jack maintained a lifelong fascination with Michigan lighthouses.
He will always be remembered for his kind, quiet and caring demeanor, his great intelligence, his unwavering faith in the Lord and his unconditional love for his family.
Jack was preceded in death by his wife Barbara and is survived by his children Chuck Kerby (Tammy) of Dallas, TX, Cathy White of Livonia, MI and Cynthia Kerby (Ignatius Aloysius) of Evanston, ILL and his grandchildren Jeffrey Kerby (Cassandra) of Royal Oak, MI, Tim Kerby of Scottsdale, AZ, Jason White of Westland, MI, Justin White of Houston, TX and Holly White of Livonia, MI. He is also survived by his niece Lesa Stuart (Mark) of Dallas, TX and their children Drew and Nicky. In addition, he is survived by Randy and Judy Agley and their family and his cousin David Dietrich(Mary Jo). Family will receive friends on Friday, October 20, 2017 from 4-8 pm at Kinsey-Garrett Funeral Home, 420 S. Lafayette Ave, Royal Oak. The funeral service will be officiated by Pastor Kent Clise at 11:00 am on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak, 529 Hendrie Blvd, Royal Oak. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Boy Scouts of America or the First Presbyterian Church of Royal Oak.
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