George Cairns

George Cairns, 91, passed from this life on April 27th, 2024, in Traverse City, MI. He was preceded in death by his daughter Julie and his brother William Cairns. George leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter and warmth. He is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Letha, his daughters Lisa and Linda, and his grandchildren Olivia, Beatriz (Blake) and Chloe. He will be profoundly missed by his family and those who knew him.

George lived his entire life with a caring attitude and concern for others. George was charming, aware of the needs of others and selfless. He connected with people from all backgrounds and age groups. This was evident in his approach to life as a young man and as an adult. Whether it was looking out for his childhood friends as they jumped from roof to roof in the narrow alleyways of Detroit, with his family sending food to servicemen during WWII through Bundles for Britain, or keeping the roads safe by teaching teen drivers during the summer throughout his twenty years as a driver education instructor.

He proudly served his country in the US Navy for five years during the Korean War, embodying honor and dedication throughout his service. George was proud of his time served and loved to share stories of his adventures aboard ship and on land from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Using the GI Bill, George attended Wayne State University and obtained a Master's Degree in Education.

He influenced many young lives during his 32 years of teaching. George was active, adventurous and always up for a challenge. Whether it was sailing in the Georgian Bay, golfing at Hilton Head, or skiing in Aspen, George led a full life. He also played table tennis, was an avid tennis player, reader and gardener. He loved fishing, painting and was a sharp pool player. He was up for anything. George and Letha were also active members of their community by participating in New Comers, ushering at Interlochen and volunteering at the Cherry Festival. His was a life well lived.

A service to honor the life of George will be held on Thursday, May 2nd, at the Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at 2:00 PM, followed by the funeral service at 3:00 PM. A burial at Oakwood Cemetery will take place at a later date