Jerry Arnold Dedoes

Jerry Arnold Dedoes, 1937-2024 Just as the Detroit Lions football season came to a heartbreaking close this winter, so too did Jerry Dedoes’ life just a few weeks later on February 15th, 2024. Athletics were the cornerstone of Jerry’s life from the time of his youth when he participated in tennis, basketball and football as well as during his later years as a huge fan of Michigan State and Detroit sports. Jerry was born on June 18th, 1937 to Arnold and Isadore Dedoes, in a house on Main Street in East Jordan, Michigan. Story goes, Jerry’s sister was born the prior year at the hospital in Petoskey and his father thought the cost was outrageous so insisted his next child be born at home to save money. This spendthrift way of being must have thus imprinted on Jerry at birth as he himself found many ways to save money over the course of his life. From the time he bought his 5-year-old daughter an adult sized English racer bike meant to last her lifetime, to cobbling together used ski equipment using improper boots and bindings, to cooking breakfasts in hotel rooms when traveling, the smell of bacon wafting down the hallways, Jerry saved money. When his children were young he stretched his food budget by taking his kids to happy hours and ushered them to the free food buffet while he grabbed a drink at the bar and then in later years with his sons-in-law in the hotel and rental car business, he capitalized on saving money there too by using their discounts. Jerry graduated from Berkley High School in 1955 where he participated in three varsity sports and went on to graduate from Michigan State University with a degree in Business Administration which enabled him to become a success in business. From his early years working as a salesman to later running his own company, Jerry was driven to always being on the lookout for the next opportunity to make money. He enjoyed talking about business strategies and sharing his money-making tips with his children and their significant others, his competitive spirit strong. As a father, Jerry loved participating in winter activities with his children. He involved his sons in ice hockey and his daughters in downhill skiing. Built snow forts in the backyard, took them sledding and skating on frozen ponds. Summer pursuits involved camping on Blue Lake in Canadian Lakes, playing catch or tossing the football around in the yard while also supporting them as they played organized sports themselves. Most of all, Jerry loved spending time up north at his family’s cottage on Lake Charlevoix, attending his brother’s annual Hoe Down gathering or spending time in the Petoskey area with family. In honor of Jerry and his desire to save money, it was determined while funeral arrangements were being made, that a significant amount of money could be saved if Jerry’s son himself transported Jerry from the place of his death in Novi to East Jordan, his desired burial place. So, if you happen to be heading north and come across a large rented van or pickup with a casket in back rolling up I-75 in early April, just know it is Jerry, returning home. Sharing the roller coaster ride of his life were his siblings Judy (Tom) Cook, Nancy (Todd) Amberger, John (Phyllis) Dedoes, and Bob (Laura) Dedoes as well as his children Darcy (Mike) Costello, Jerry Kirk Dedoes, his late son Erik Dedoes, Elizabeth (Bill) Weisberg, Anthony Dedoes, his grandchildren Jimmy (Ashley) Costello, Ryan Costello, Cassie (Justin) Prescott, Whitney Weisberg, Makena Dedoes and great-grandchildren Jack and Ella Costello. An interment will be held on April 12th at 11:00am at Sunset Hill Cemetery in East Jordan with a Celebration of Life to follow at Foundry Craft Grillery at noon. All family and friends are welcome.

Jerry Arnold Dedoes

June 18, 1937 - February 15, 2024