Jerry William Tarrant

Jerry William Tarrant of Bath, Michigan, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, March 22, 2015, at the age of 79. He was born June 21, 1935 in DeWitt, Michigan. He married his high school sweetheart, Janet Elaine Derke, on July 1, 1955 and was looking forward to celebrating 60 years of marriage to the love of his life this summer. Jerry raised and supported his family working for General Motors Fisher Body plant for 38 years as a forklift operator, retiring in 1992. Jerry had many hobbies and interests. He loved creating, building, and problem solving. He built two family homes from the ground up and extensively remodeled the family farmhouse. He was a skilled woodworker, gardener, landscaper and farmer. Jerry loved to re-purpose things that were junk to most and could fix just about anything. He loved the birds and turned his backyard into a birder’s paradise, making sure no bird (or squirrel) went hungry. Jerry was also a lifelong Spartan fan. A man of strong faith, Jerry loved the Lord and his family, living his commitment as a deacon and elder in his church. Throughout his life, Jerry was actively involved in start-up Christian evangelism efforts, both locally and globally. He especially enjoyed supporting MSU students and other young people as they launched their dreams. He made several mission trips to Catacamas, Honduras, to the Good Samaritan School where he helped build the infrastructure of the facility. He also devoted many volunteer hours and financial support to Rochester College. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, William and Nola Tarrant; brothers, Cloise (Bill), Edward, and Glenn Tarrant; sisters, Georgia Tarrant and Mozell Huxtable; and granddaughter Keegan Tarrant. Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife, Janet Elaine (Derke) Tarrant; children, Glenn (Ellyn) Tarrant, Cindy Pascoe, Greg (Linda) Tarrant and Jill Tarrant; brothers, Duane, Ralph (Rita) and Barry (Elaine) Tarrant; sisters, Helen Devereaux, Virblee Collingsworth and Sandra (Kay) Root; sisters-in-law, Sandy and Louise Tarrant; 21 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held Friday, April 10th, at 2:00 p.m. at Holmes Road Church of Christ, 321 E. Holmes Rd, Lansing, MI 48910. Visitation will take place on Thursday, April 9, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 205 E. Washington in DeWitt and one hour prior to the memorial service at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Rochester College, 800 W. Avon Rd, Rochester Hills, MI 48307 or City Rescue Mission of Lansing, 2216 S. Cedar St., Lansing, MI 48910-3132, in memory of Jerry William Tarrant.

The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes DeWitt Chapel.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.grdewitt.com