Jack Charles Gillett

TRAVERSE CITY — Jack Charles Gillett, of Traverse City, passed away on Oct. 13, 2014, at Grand Traverse Pavilions Willow Cottage. A lifelong Ann Arbor resident, he lived in the Grand Traverse region since 2001.

Jack was born in South Haven on Jan. 13, 1930, the son and only child of Charles and Winifred (Kitto) Gillett. On Jan. 6, 1950, he married Norma Jean "Dolly" Gardner, who passed away in 2012.

He is survived by his son, Dr. Ward (Mary) Gillett, of Traverse City; daughter, Joy Gillett, of Easton, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Katie Gillett (Jordan Ortiz), of Alexandria, Virginia, and Alexandra Gillett, of Chicago; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, LeRoy and Vera Gardner, of Tecumseh; sister-in-law, Doris Austin, of Lutz, Florida; niece, Amy (Lee) LeMaster and nephew, Steve Austin and families.

Jack loved Ann Arbor, first as a student at the University of Michigan, later by adopting Dolly's hometown as his own and as a home to raise their children.

Jack graduated from South Haven High School in 1948 and then earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan College of Engineering (1953) and a Master of Science degree from the University of Houston (1959).

He served his country during the Korean War as an U.S. Army officer stationed at Aberdeen, Maryland. Jack also proudly served as a member of the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring in 1980 as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Jack began his career with Shell Oil Company in Houston, Texas, later joining Ford Motor Company as an engineer and systems analyst, where he worked for 20 years. Upon retirement Jack took on a second career teaching auto mechanics at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School for 10 years.

Throughout his life, Jack enjoyed reading, learning and University of Michigan sports, especially his beloved Wolverine football and basketball teams. When living in Ann Arbor he and Dolly would be found, rain or shine, at the Big House on football Saturdays. In later years he and Dolly split their time between winters in Venice, Florida, and summers in Michigan. They relocated from Ann Arbor to the Grand Traverse region in 2001.

There is no service planned. A private family celebration of life will take place later this year. His final resting place will be with Dolly at Westside Methodist Church Memorial Garden in Ann Arbor.

The family would like to thank the staff, residents and families of the GT Pavilions Evergreen and Willow Cottages for the loving care and home they shared with Jack during the last years of his life.

Memorial donations can be made to the Cottages at the Grand Traverse Pavilions in Traverse City, the University of Michigan Victors Campaign in Ann Arbor or a favorite charity.