Joseph Jackson Weatherford Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Joseph Jackson Weatherford, 92, passed away on Feb. 28, 2020 after a prolonged illness. Joe was a kind, sweet and funny gentleman. He was born in the home of his maternal grandmother in Parma, Missouri, on Aug. 18, 1927. He and his mother moved to Michigan in his teen years. He graduated from Flint Northern High School, where he met Frances, the love of his life. They gave their four children a loving home with fun learning experiences and all the necessities of life -- things they themselves did not have growing up as children of the Depression era. He spent two years in the United States Army as a Sergeant towards the end of The Second World War. Afterwards he graduated from General Motors Institute in Flint. He and Frances married Jan. 2, 1949. The couple moved to Saginaw, where he worked for Draper Chevrolet as a parts department manager for 44 years. They attended First Congregational Church, then Hopevale Baptist Church in Saginaw for many years, where they made many close friends. After retirement, Joe and Fran moved to Sapphire, North Carolina, for six years; then to their golf course home in Leelanau County, to be closer to family. He was very proud to have contracted all four of the houses he and Frances had custom built. Joe loved listening to music, reading, playing bridge, snow skiing, duck hunting and, of course, golfing with friends and family. Most recently he was a member of Sugarloaf, The Old Course, in Leelanau County. He is survived by his children, Cheri Weatherford Buchbinder, Steven (Carol) Weatherford, Scott (Susan) Weatherford and Lisa (Jay) Weatherford Taylor; eight grandchildren; three greatgrandchildren; nephew, F. James Fickey; niece, Janice (McLellan) Lackey; and other nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife, Frances McLellan Weatherford; sister, Mary Margaret Weatherford Fickey; mother, Hallie Opal Carnahan; and son-in-law, Bill Buchbinder. Private services will be held at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral home in Traverse City. Joe will be laid to rest in the Bingham Township Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions honoring Joe may be made to the Leelanau Conservancy at leelanauconservancy.org. Joseph and his family are being cared for by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Joseph Jackson Weatherford

August 18, 1927 - February 28, 2020