Jerry Lee Boyer,72, of Coldwater, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo.
A memorial service honoring Jerry’s life will take place at 1:00 pm, Friday, March 10, 2017 at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater. Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater.
Jerry was born February 17, 1945 to Carl and Katherine (Full) Boyer in Coldwater. A graduate of Coldwater High School, Jerry then entered the United States Air Force on October 17, 1963 and was discharged on June 9, 1967. He received the Small Arms Marksmanship Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star and the Vietnam Campaign Medal.
He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Madonna College in Livonia and his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.
Jerry married Carla Anderson on January 7, 1967 in Coldwater. Jerry worked as a detective with the Michigan State Police for 24 years retiring from the Jackson Post in 1991. He went on to teach criminal justice at Jackson Community College in Jackson, McCook Community College in McCook, Nebraska and then at Redlands Community College in El Rino, Oklahoma. Jerry retired in 2012 from Kellogg Community College in Coldwater, teaching sociology.
He was a Board Member of the Lakeland Fire Department, a member of the Michigan State Troopers Association and a NRA member. Jerry was an avid University of Michigan Fan, he enjoyed doing yard work and being outside. He also loved his Border Collie Sherlock and his rescue cat Little Girl.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 50 years Carla; his daughters, Karry (Benjamin) Coburn of Coldwater and Kimberly Flitton of Eaton Rapids; his grandchildren, Zachary Coburn, Jeffrey Lyon, Aaron Coburn and Jonathon Coburn; his siblings, Nancy Yearling of Paris, Michigan and Mike Boyer of Salem, Oregon. He was preceded in death by his parents; his grandchildren, Tiffany and Taylor Boyer and his brother William Boyer.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Wounded Warriors Project, Michigan State Police Troopers Association or B.A.R.K.