Gerald Leroy Pattok

Gerald LeRoy Pattok, age 82, of Hastings, Michigan, passed away on January 31, 2020.  Gerald was born on October 7, 1937 in Hilliards, Michigan, the son of John and Anna (Lutostanski) Pattok.

Jerry was a 1955 graduate of Wayland Union High School.  He ran track and played tennis and football in high school. He attended Kalamazoo College on a football scholarship, Aquinas College, and graduated from Western Michigan University in 1961, receiving his Master's Degree from Antioch in 1973.  Jerry proudly served his country in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1954-1957.  On June 25, 1960, Jerry married, Sandra Keeney, and they would have been married for 60 years in June of 2020.  Jerry was a Science Teacher at Hastings High School, retiring in 1992.

Jerry was a former member of the Moose and Elks Lodges.  He served as president of the Hastings Education Association for 3 years.  He attended St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, and more recently Emmanuel Episcopal Church of Hastings.  He was also a member of Lifelong Learning Institute.  In 1970, Jerry was named Young Educator of the Year by the Junior Chamber of Commerce.  In 2004, Jerry hiked every trail in Barry County.  He wrote a brochure with a map of the trails that was printed by J Ad Graphics and passed out by the Chamber of Commerce.  He belonged to the Chief Noonday Chapter of the North Ccountry Trail.  For an updated version, go to northcountrytrail.org, click Chief Noonday Chapter, and click Barry County Hikes.  Jerry was elected treasurer of the student senate at Aquinas College.  He served 3 years as treasurer of the Barry County Conservation Club.  After having served 5 terms for a total of 15 years on the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority, Jerry was appointed to another term of 3 years by the Barry County Commissioners on March 20, 2018.

Jerry was an avid fisher and hunter and enjoyed camping and long motorcycle trips with his friend.  He and his wife, Sandi, spent nine years traveling, and especially enjoyed spending a month in Australia.  In 2015, they were named Senior Citizens of the year.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his son Tycho Pattok, and brother, Tom Pattok.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Pattok, children John (Sheryl) Pattok, Eric (Kathryn) Pattok, Laura Pattok, grandchildren Johnathan (Samantha) Smith, Jessica (Kevin) Boonstra, Anna, Emily, Sydney, Kathleen, Matthew, Sam, Lauren, Jake Pattok, great-grandchildren, Theo and Alice Smith, and his sister, Patricia (Ron) Pattok.

Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 6, 2020 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church 315 West Center Street Hastings, Michigan 49058 with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.  Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home.  To leave an online condolence, visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net .