Gerald "Jerry" Lake

Gerald “Jerry” Dexter Lake, 75, of Fenwick, Michigan, passed away at his home on June 6th, 2026. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 14th, 1950, he graduated from Cedar Springs High School Class of ’69 and retired from the Ionia based General Tire in 1997.

His motto was to “live long and prosper,” and that he did.

As a young rebel at heart, he craved the freedom of riding motorcycles and feeling the wind in his hair—which he proudly kept flowing until his final days. Jerry’s love of nature kept him outdoors hunting, fishing, mowing the lawn and keeping a seriously good tan. Though his wild spirit loved to roam, life eventually grounded him, and he settled into the role of a hard-working provider for his growing family. But he knew how to tell a good joke and be silly, especially with the grandkids.

Jerry softened as the years went on and more readily showed his compassionate side to his family, including the pets. You could always find him in his recliner with at least a few of his furry companions. After retirement, Jerry took up farming, even if it was just virtually on Farmville and enjoyed collecting antique glassware. He was known for going wild with the chainsaw and didn’t let a little thing like having to sit on his walker stop him from trimming trees.

It’s hard to sum up a lifetime of such a strong, resilient man in just a few paragraphs but he left a legacy of being a true, resourceful MacGyver with grit and determination, even when we told the old man to just sit down and not get himself hurt. His words of wisdom continue to ring true for generations to come: You’re only as good as your word but also righty tighty, lefty loosey.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents Lou and Ethel Lake, his brothers Larry Cope, Virgil Cope, Lloyd Cope and his sister Mary Stidham.

He is survived by his wife, Lily Lake, after 45 years of chaos, laugher and love; his children Laura and her husband Mike Forcum of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jessie and her husband Doug Billings of Stanton, Michigan, Mike Lake and his wife Brandy of Columbus, Montana, Jason Lake and his wife Jen of Sheridan, Michigan, Melissa Lake of Greenville, Michigan, and Vanessa Lake of Lansing, Michigan; his 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

No amount of duct tape and zip ties can heal our grieving hearts, but may we find comfort in the memories, lessons and the love we shared. This is not goodbye, simply “See you later alligator.” Until then, we’ll carry him in every laugh, every stubborn fix-it job, and every nap in the recliner.