John "Jack" Mayer

Through the life of John “Jack” Mayer we are inspired to face whatever challenges come our way with courage, strength, and determination. He was never one to let his limitations define him and lived life to the fullest each day. It was easy to see that Jack’s family was his most precious treasure and that there was nowhere he loved to be more than surrounded by his beloved family. With the love of his life by his side throughout the majority of his life, he witnessed his family tree blossom to include the generations who will carry on his timeless legacy. Jack will be missed for his fun-loving personality, his spirit of adventure, and his expressive words, but most of all he will be missed for his unconditional love.

The Roaring Twenties were some of the most vibrant days we have ever experienced as a nation. New radio stations joined the airwaves each week while radios brought us our entertainment, our news of the day, and jazz music that dominated the musical scene. Broadway was at its all-time peak and baseball exploded in the world of sports thanks to greats like Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb. Amidst this colorful time was the year 1924 that was filled with unspeakable joy for one young couple from Kenosha, Wisconsin, as they were anticipating the birth of their new baby. Their wait was over on August 21st of that year as the baby boy they named John E. was born. He was one of four children born to his parents, Francis and Kathleen (Rafferty) Mayer, and was raised in the family home alongside his siblings, Margaret, Janice, and Donald.

In many ways John, or Jack as he was often known, experienced a typical upbringing. His father worked at American Brass while his mother was a homemaker who was known for her homemade bread as well as her bread and butter pickles. As the prosperity of the 1920s gave way to the 1930s, nearly every American family felt the strain of the Great Depression that blanketed our nation throughout the entire decade, and the Mayer family was not immune to these trials. They did what they could to make ends meet, and Jack developed into a young man of character. He was a Boy Scout in a local troop and had just completed a merit badge that gave him the courage to save a swimmer from drowning in Lake Michigan a short time later. Jack was a student at local schools including Bradford High School in Kenosha where he played on the school football team.

When he was only 18, Jack joined the ranks of young people who were serving our nation overseas in WWII. He completed his basic training at Fort Ord in California and served as an ambulance driver in Europe, in both France and Germany. Jack became a major part of history through his participation in the Battle of the Bulge.

With his military duty fulfilled, Jack returned to Wisconsin where he attended the University of Wisconsin. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Economics some time later.

Not to be forgotten during his college years was Jack’s introduction to the young woman who would forever hold the key to his heart. Her name was Patricia Ohm, and she was from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and a fellow student at the University of Wisconsin after the war. After dating for a time Jack and Patricia were married, deeply in love. Together they were blessed with three children, Catherine, John, and Mary. The Mayers moved from Kenosha to Detroit in 1958. To support his family Jack worked in the international department at American Motors until he retired in 1982. He also worked for Saatchi, Saatchi & Compton Advertising Agency where he specialized in Jeep marketing.

Throughout his life Jack treasured his family more than anything else. To celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary, Jack and Patricia’s children threw them a surprise party where they marked the occasion with numerous family and friends. He and his wife were also thrilled to welcome three grandchildren into the fold: Christopher, Ian, and Rachel. Jack dearly loved his grandchildren, and he was so proud of who they became as adults. He was a regular at all of his grandson’s baseball games and musical concerts. Their entire family celebrated Jack and Patricia’s 50th wedding anniversary with a party on Mackinac Island. As someone who was involved with Toastmasters International - even serving as their president at one time - it was Jack who the family asked to speak at numerous family functions. It was truly inspiring to hear him speak at his grandson Christopher’s wedding. More recently Jack was thrilled at the thought of becoming a great-grandfather with the birth of his first great-grandchild expected this May.

In his leisure time Jack enjoyed pursuing his interests. He was a Detroit Tigers fan through and through who caught as many of their games as he could until his last days. He was an avid golfer despite being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when he was 42. Jack never complained about his disease and didn’t let it limit him any more than it had to, getting out on the links until he could no longer stand. He was a member of the American Legion where he helped out with their fundraising every year including their poppy sales from his wheelchair. A man of great knowledge, Jack was a fierce competitor playing along with his favorite television show, Jeopardy. He knew all the capitals of the world, and his geography skills had no equal.

A man who was content in whatever life had in store for him, John “Jack” Mayer lived a rich and rewarding life filled with unending love for others. He cherished his family and loved to experience so many of the best things that life has to offer. Jack taught us that there is little value found in what we have, but that it is through the love we give that we are richly blessed. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

John E. "Jack" Mayer died on April 3, 2013. Jack’s family includes his wife, Patricia; children, Catherine, John L., and Mary E. (Ray) Emerson; grandchildren, Christopher (Sejal) Emerson, and Ian, and Rachel Emerson; and brother, Donald. Visit with Jack’s family and friends on Friday, 4-8 p.m. with an American Legion Post 190 service at 6:30 p.m., followed by a 7:00 p.m. Rosary at the Neely-Turowski Life Story Funeral Home, 30200 Five Mile (btn Merriman and Middlebelt). Funeral Mass Saturday 11:00 a.m. (in state 10:30 a.m.) at St. Gerald Catholic Church, 21300 Farmington Rd (north of 8 Mile). Interment Holy Sepulchre cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign the online guest book, share a memory, or upload a photo.