Garry Lee Coveart

Garry entered the spiritual world at the age of 97 on Sunday May 14, 2023 in his apartment at Colonial Villa in Midland, Michigan. Garry had lived there since October of 2020. Garry was born in Grand Rapids, to Winifred (Wilson) and Garry Coveart on December 24, 1925 the first of three children; Garry, sister June, and brother Karlyle (Ky).

The family moved to Clare in 1937 to live with his maternal grandparents on their dairy farm. Garry was educated at Clare Public Schools and graduated in June, 1944. Garry was a very gregarious person - who loved public speaking, acting, and playing drums in the marching band. He also met the love of his life Patricia May Lucas when she moved to Clare with her family and she joined the marching band.

In October of 1944, Garry was hired by the Dow Corning Corporation in Midland - their 9th operator, and the first batch of silicone was made in December of 1944. Pat graduated from Clare High School in 1945 and she and Garry were married in Vestaburg on June 16, 1946. They moved to an apartment in Midland until they established a residence in Sanford in 1952. They bought property and Garry began building a house in his spare time!

Garry was a member of the Sanford United Methodist Church and served as Lay-Leader and Cub Master for many years. He was part of the committee that integrated several small schools into the Meridian Public School system. He served on the Meridian Board of Education, was part of the "new' high school (now Meridian Junior High) in 1966; the athletic field in 1968 and the track in 1979. He followed Meridian sports for many years including football, track, baseball and especially girls' softball. He ran the football scoreboard from the press box at all the home games from 1969-1998! Garry retired from Dow Corning in 1985, but being a member of the American Welding Society, he contracted with "Intertech Design" and inspected pressure vessels for Dow Corning from 1985-1994 when he really retired! Garry enjoyed many things in life. He and Pat became "snowbirds" wintering in Florida. They bought a house there in 1992 and spent many good winters and made many good friends. Garry sold the Florida house in 2009 when Pat became too ill to travel. She died in 2014, after 68 years of marriage. Garry loved traveling and camping especially in view of the Mackinac Bridge. He walked the Bridge twenty-three times. He also enjoyed deer hunting with son, Terry and sucker fishing with friend Walt B. For thirty-five years he worked as "ticket-taker" at the Grandstand of the Midland County Fair. He made several trips with family and friends to the Indianapolis 500. And he made hundreds oftrips to Lanny's Restaurant for meals.

Garry was pre-deceased by his mother, Winifred Coveart of Clare; sister, June Melnek of Farwell; brother, Karlyle Coveart of Clare; wife, Pat of Sanford and daughter, Nancy June of Midland. Garry is survived by three children: Sandra Coveart and friend, Chris Laitner; Terry (Laura) Coveart of Roscommon; and Kevin (Debbie) Coveart of DeWitt. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Darin (Karen) Coveart of Jackson; Jessica (Mark) Jungerheld of Plymouth; Kyle (Stephanie) Coveart of Collierville, TN; and Andrew Coveart and Danielle Deneau of Okemos. Garry also has five great-grandchildren: Adalyn and Ella Coveart; Leah and Ethan Jungerheld; and Henry Coveart.

A celebration of Garry life will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday May 20, 2023 from Wilson MILLER Funeral Home with Rev. Michael T. Sawicki officiating. Family will receive guests at the funeral home on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. Interment of his ashes will be in Cherry Grove Cemetery in Clare, Michigan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be directed to Residential Hospice 4800 Fashion Square Suite 310 Saginaw, Michigan 48604 The family would like to thank the staff at Colonial Villa and Residential Hospice for the compassionate care of our father.