Jerry Lockard

Jerry Lockard, 88, passed peacefully in his sleep on April 12, 2024, after an extended illness. He was surrounded by his family at home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Alice; his son, Jerry Lockard Jr. (“Tink”); his grandson, Daniel; and granddaughter, Aubreigh. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Maureen; his daughters, Sue (Rick) Thompson; Jan (Don) Scott; Jill (Todd) Simms; daughter-in-law, Lyn Lockard; 16 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.

After graduating from Sparta High School in 1953, Jerry served in the United States Army and was stationed in France during the Korean War era. He was a proud lifelong resident of Sparta where he and Maureen raised their family and where he fittingly spent his career as an operations manager in the local apple industry.

Jerry was a man of faith who lived according to his Christian values. At Sparta Baptist Church, he and Maureen led the Young People’s youth group and he also served as an usher.

The SHS graduating class of ‘53 formed the Old Boys Club, and Jerry remained an active member—joining his classmates and other alumni at the Garden Patch restaurant each month. He was also an avid Sparta sports fan, supporting his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren through all their athletic pursuits from volleyball, basketball, and football to wrestling and marching band.

Jerry’s family will keep his memory close during MSU basketball and football games, whenever they crinkle a Tootsie Roll wrapper, and through all four seasons of yard work, whether they’re pushing a mower, edger, wheelbarrow, or snowblower.

Visitation and funeral services will be at Beuschel Funeral Home, 5018 Alpine Ave NW, Comstock Park, MI, on Wednesday, April 17, from 11:00 - 12:00 pm. Pastor Jonathon Fuller will officiate starting at 12:00 pm. A luncheon will follow at Sparta Center Church, formerly Sparta Baptist Church, 38 S State Street, Sparta, MI. 

The Lockard family greatly appreciates the competent, compassionate in-home nurses from Faith Hospice of Michigan and Corewell Health Hospice. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in Jerry's name to their organizations: Faith Hospice of Michigan or Corewell Health Hospice.

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