Carl Anthony Lemcool, 88 of Traverse City, died Monday December 5, 2016, at home, after a 5 year battle with bladder and bone cancer.
Born April 22, 1928, in Traverse City, he was the son of Bertie N. and Emma Katherine (Younglas) Lemcool. On, July 15, 1950 he married Wilma L. Seeley at the First Christian Church on the corner of 8th & Cass in Traverse City.
A resident of Traverse City his whole life, he graduated from Traverse City High School where he was on the school running team. He placed 2nd in the 880 yard run in 1945 and 1st in 1946 with a winning time that lasted for over 40 years. Right out of high school he started as a messenger at the First-Peoples State Bank. He retired in 1984 as Vice-President-Auditor of the National Bank & Trust when the bank closed. In 1948 he spent his 2 week vacation serving as a deck hand on the steamship Harvard, having received his Coast Guard papers as an able bodied Seaman.
He was very active in many groups and organizations his whole life, holding a variety of positions in all of them. Joining the Exchange Club of Traverse City in 1948, made Exchangite of the Year 1971. He has his name inscribed on the National Court of Honor pylon at the National Headquarters. Worked and served on the Michigan District and National Exchange Club Boards, with many awards over many years. Member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Monroe Center Lodge in the 1940's-1950's, was the Nobel Grand in 1948. Life member of the Elk's Lodge since joining in 1967. Jaycees awarded him their Award of Merit in 1968 for community service. Helped with the formation of and chairman of the Northwestern Regional Airport Commission thru 1976. Active in Boy Scouts at Troop 35, Willow Hill in the late 70's, Scout Master and Vigil Member Order of the Arrow. Served on the Cherry Festival Royal parade committee from the early 1960's, Co-Chair the Horse Parade, Director of the Cherry Royal Parade, Director of Parade Coordination, Vice President of Executive Committee, first Festival Treasurer in 1986. He was also an active Republican in the Leelanau County Party, working on the Election Board of Canvassers and received the Golden Elephant Award in 1996. He also enjoyed reading, working around the house and spending summers at the cottage on Long Lake.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years Wilma Lemcool of Traverse City, his daughter Mary K (Brian) Bush of Suttons Bay, grandchildren Adam Bush, Amy (Chad) Bush Bowser, Douglas Lemcool, Michelle (Nels) Lemcool Veliquette, great grandchildren Elizabeth Bush, Katherine Bush, Johnathan Bush, Axil Veliquette and many greatly loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Michael, his brother Herbert Lemcool, Sr., sisters Clara Bannon and Christine Sherk.
Friends may call at the Reynold-Jonkhoff Funeral Home Friday December 16, 2016 from 6 -8pm. A celebration of life service will be held at the funeral home at 11 am, Saturday December 17th, followed by a luncheon at the Elks Lodge on Bay Street at noon. Burial will be at the Oakwood Cemetery following the luncheon at 2:30 pm.
Memorials may be made to the Elks Lodge of Traverse City or the Long Lake Foundation, PO Box 31, Interlochen, MI 49643