Allan Bertrand Holbrook

Allan Bertrand Holbrook, 92 of Traverse City, formerly of Michigamme, Michigan, slipped away Sunday morning, October 11, 2015, with family at his side to be with his Lord and loved ones in heaven. He was born April 5, 1923, in Flint, Michigan to Bert and Emily (Johnson) Holbrook.

Allan “Jack” married F. Marie Thorpe of Big Bay, Michigan in Waukegan, Illinois, on November 22, 1944, the same day he graduated from the Great Lakes Naval Center with the rank of ensign. He served honorably in the Navy until the end of WWII. After his discharge in 1945, he and Marie moved to Traverse City in 1950 where they raised their ten remaining children having lost two in infancy. A teacher at heart, he started teaching high school in 1951 and ended up teaching 8th grade English at the West Junior High until 1978. Upon retiring he helped to start Living God Christian School on Birmley Road where he and his wife, Marie, taught until 1987. In 1988 they started Traverse Christian School-at-Home to provide supervision to other home schooling families which was their true passion having home schooled their own children. Upon the death of his wife in 1993, he cut back on those activities and turned his attention to helping his grandchildren in home schooling which he did until glaucoma took his eyesight around five years ago.

He will be remembered by many for his sincere, undaunted pursuit of obedience to the Word of God and for his love of teaching it. Allan was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Marie; his parents; his siblings, Janet (Ken) Love, and Dale (Lou) Holbrook; three children, Stephen, Bethel, and Grace (Theobald) Ice, and two grandchildren. He is survived by nine children: Mark (Carole) Holbrook, Tim (Joanna) Holbrook, Phillip (Bethel) Holbrook, Ruth (Vic) Loyer, Joel (Rachel) Holbrook, Dan (Pam) Holbrook, Debby (Gary) Stevens, Faith (Keith) Gavaldon, and Hope (Ron) Francisco; 50 grandchildren and 82 great grandchildren with 11 more on the way.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 17 at 11 AM at Church of the Living God. There will be a time of sharing of memories with a meal following for anyone interested in staying. Memorial contributions can be made to the family.

Please share your fond memories of Allan at www.CovellFuneralHomes.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home in Traverse City.