1955 Wayland High School graduate Gerald LeRoy Pattok, age 82, of Hastings, died Jan. 31.
Gerald was born on Oct. 7, 1937, in Hilliards, the son of John and Anna (Lutostanski) Pattok. He ran track and played tennis and football while at Wayland 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 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 three 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. Jerry hiked every trail in Barry County in 2004. 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.
Jerry also was elected treasurer of the student senate at Aquinas College. He served three years as treasurer of the Barry County Conservation Club. After serving five terms for a total of 15 years on the Barry County Community Mental Health Authority, he was appointed to another three-year term by the Barry County Commissioners on March 20, 2018.
Jerry was an avid fisherman and hunter and enjoyed camping and long motorcycle trips with his friends. He and his wife spent nine years traveling, and especially enjoyed spending a month in Australia. In 2015, they were named Senior Citizens of the Year.
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.
Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his son Tycho Pattok, and brother, Tom Pattok.
His funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 6, at Emmanuel Episcopal Church 315 West Center St., Hastings, with visitation one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
