John Harvey Kerr

John Harvey Kerr passed away at peace with the loving God of his understanding and with the world on October 5, 2025. He was born in Grand Rapids on July 19, 1934, placed in an orphanage for two years, and adopted by John B. and Ruth Kerr of Alden, MI. He spent his early years there, in Rapid City and Hale. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1957and spent 2 years in Schwabisch Gmund, Germany and was honorably discharged. John attended Central Michigan University before beginning his career at Oldsmobile, and returned there after his military service retiring after thirty-three years of employment.

On August 20, 1960 he married Marjorie Jeanne Underhill, a marriage of 62 years until her death. John’s life changed when he entered recovery from alcoholism. He emerged with generosity, empathy, compassion, gratitude and a clear understanding of where he sat with his God. John loved travel, sports, history and bluegrass music. He was a man of lists; one of which contained over 800 names of friends and associates whom he called at the rate of 20 per day, every day, and then began again.

John was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie Jeanne; a grandson Jonathan Kerr; and his parents. He is survived by his sons Michael and Patrick (Deborah); grandchildren, Cristian, Lindsy, Brandon, Victoria; and great grandchildren, Kallie, Camilla and Jaymes; as well as exchange student children, Luciano Farias and Monika Horenberg; and extended family too numerous to mention.

John touched many, many lives and left us all a little better off for the experience.  A celebration of John's life will be held in the spring.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign John's online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com

Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.