Obituary of Gerald "Jerry" C. Govan

November 16, 1942 – December 7, 2017

Gerald "Jerry" C. Govan.  Age 75 of Allen Park. 

Beloved husband of Julia Govan.  Loving father of Anna (Keith Thomas) Govan.  Stepfather of Edward (Cheri) Sparks and Angelyn (Charles) Maxon.  Dearest grandfather of Tayler Thomas, Audrey Sparks, Gabriella Rolak and Isabella Rolak.

Preceded in death by parents Herman and Wilma Govan and brother Lawrence Govan.  Gerald grew up in Wyandotte, graduating from Roosevelt High School.   He attended college at Bowling Green University before entering the Army.  Gerald and his wife Julia have been married for 33 years.  They previously resided in Southgate before moving to Allen Park in 1994. 

Memorial contributions to the Salvation Army and American Heart Association are appreciated. 

FAMILY TRIBUTE

Jerry attended school in Wyandotte, Michigan graduating from Roosevelt High School in January,
1961. He went to Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio studying Journalism from
September 1963 through 1966. Wyandotte always held a special place in his heart and a source of
pride for him, even after moving to other local cities.
He was drafted into the Army in September, 1966 and honorably completed his tour of duty in
September, 1968 with a rank of SP4-E4. He was a clerk during part of his military tour at Fort George
C. Meade, Maryland. He remained stateside during his two years in the military. Medals awarded him
included the National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and Sharpshooter Badge Rifle M-
14. Jerry was always proud of his military service to our country.
Jerry began his adult career at General Motors as a Salaried Computer Operator from 1968 until 1985.
This position changed over to Electronic Data Systems (EDS) as a Salaried Computer Operator from
1985 until 1993. His final employment career was with Chrysler Corporation (later becoming Daimler
Chrysler) in the Paint Department at Jefferson Avenue North in Detroit as a union employee from 1994
until 2004 retiring on March 1, 2004. Jerry always took his work responsibility very serious.
Jerry enjoyed giving back to the community; he belonged to the American Legion – Post 447 on Oak
Street in Wyandotte and the Southgate Lions Club for many years.
One of Jerry’s favorite past times was visiting casinos here in the Detroit area and across Michigan; he
got a kick out of playing slot machines and the compensation that came along with them. Jerry was an
avid reader of history, biographies and autobiographies. He enjoyed watching Jeopardy and probably
could have been a winning contestant on the show with his vast bank of knowledge. Jerry’s favorite
sports for him to play were tennis and swimming, although his health prevented him from participating
in those sports in the last several years of his life. Throughout his life he could be found watching most
sports including baseball, basketball, football, wrestling and hockey, but he was the biggest supporter
of his children and granddaughter's sporting events. He always cheered them on through all types of
weather and conditions.
One of the ways that Jerry built his relationships was to add humor, nicknames, or code words that fit
each unique person or situation creating a private joke that only a small circle would understand.
Gerald was always willing to help out and support his family and friends in any way he could. He
showed his love for all of us in many different ways, which made him so valuable to our family. He
was a loyal husband and an exceptional dad and grandpa. Jerry will be missed by all of us dearly.