Jay Levene

Levene, Jay Scott 12/5/1956 - 1/16/2023 Kalamazoo, MI Jay "Scott" Levene cried an Angel of Death tear as a symbol of his final goodbye Monday, January 16, 2023. Scott was a patient for the last several weeks at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. His wife, Robyn and daughter Laura were with him when his Earth journey concluded. Scott was preceded in death by his parents, Jack, and Betty B. (Sklansky) Levene; sister, Caryn K. (Levene) Wilson; brother, John Northrop; father- and mother-in-law, Richard D., and Winifred B Meinert; and brothers-in-laws, Frederick A. Walker, Richard T. Meinert, Orrin E. Sharp, and W. Mac Howard. He is survived by his wife, Robyn D. (Meinert) Levene; daughter, Laura B. Levene; mother, Dorothy A. (Coash, Northrop) Levene; sisters, Rae Lee Howard, Lori & Glen Putman, Paula M. & Arthur Bolder; Annie M. & Marc Mason; brother, Joseph P. Northrop; sisters-in-laws, Wendy B. Sharp, Pamela A. & Dennis Carr, and Carol (Vestal, Walker) & Jim Fillmore; an aunt and uncle in law, Susan (Meinert) & Will Lutterman; and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and one great-grandnephew. Scott never gave up! He fought and overcame many heart conditions throughout his 66 years of life. Scott was the first person under the age of 18 and only the third person in the United States to receive a nuclear pacemaker. January 4, 2014, Scott received a generous gift of life, a heart, and a kidney for transplantation at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. A native of Kalamazoo, MI, Scott was born December 5, 1956, Betty and Jack Levene. Scott graduated from Portage Northern High School in 1975. While there, Scott made school history by selling the most ads and creating a first time ever profit for their annual yearbook. Scott went onto Western Michigan University studying Business Administration and Computer programing. He proudly married Robyn Meinert in June of 1981. She was truly the love of his life. Together they complimented each other making their marriage a strong team and partnership. Scott was a successful, articulate, and respected businessman working at the family business, I.H.S Distributing, Co, Inc., (a Miller Beer and Beverage Distributorship warehouse), since he was a young boy. At the time of his retirement Scott was President and shared ownership of their family business with his two sisters. He was passionate, proud carrying on a family legacy, his accomplishments as their Executive Leader and being a member of the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association. He was elected a delegate to MBWWA several times in his career as well. Scott had such a joy for life and giving back to others. He was involved in a variety of organizations - Big Brothers Big Sisters, Elizabeth Upjohn Community Healing Center, and The United States Power Squadron to name a few. He was also heavily involved and a lifetime member of The Congregation of Moses - where he served as president, and a member of the board. He was part of the Colef Grant Funding committee, help to establish an Endowment Fund program for COM, Finance Chair and created multiple fundraisers. Scott was best friends with Dr. Bob and Bill Wilson for 36 years. He was well respected and liked in their circle of friends. For leisure Scott loved boating and sailing. From falling in love with sailing in the beginning of his marriage to Robyn 41 years ago, to taking on the excitement of power boating once their daughter Laura was born in 1993. As a family they took many vacations throughout The Great Lakes. Scott also enjoyed watching sporting events, but mostly Alabama football. He, Robyn, and Laura attended many football games together in Tuscaloosa throughout Laura's college years - and remained a fan after her graduation. Scott Levene had a true zest for life and treated everyone he met as his equal. His heart, kindness, and gentle voice of reason will never be forgotten by those who crossed his path. Visitation will be held Thursday, January 26, 2023, from 4-8PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S. 9th St, Kalamazoo MI 49009 where services will be held 11AM Friday, January 27,2023. Interment will follow in Jewish Riverside Cemetery. Rabbi Harvey Spivak and Pastor Jim Dyke will lead services. The pallbearers will be Scott's brother, Joe Northrup; life-long best friend, Jim Koole; and nephews, Ian Meinert, Andy Putman, Jeff Patterson, and Jason Howard. In lieu of flowers individuals can make donations to The Elizabeth Upjohn Community Healing Center or The Alano Club. To view Scott's personalized web page and as Paul Harvey would say ". the rest of the story", please visit https://www.langelands.com