George Washington Fletcher Jr., age 92, of Ann Arbor, Michigan passed
away on Monday April 22, 2019. George was born August 19, 1926 the son
of George and Cora Fletcher (nee Stoll) in Ann Arbor, Michigan. George
had one brother, Owen Robert Fletcher, who preceded him in death in
1992. He was a devoted and selfless husband and father. He is survived
by his wife JoAnn; his children Geralyn (John) Doskoch of Charlevoix,
Karen (Marty) Lutz of Ann Arbor, Michael (Teresa) Fletcher of Chicago;
and his beloved grandchildren, Jacob and Julia Doskoch; Kelsey, Jamie
and Owen Lutz; and Noah and Isaac Fletcher.
George grew up on South Boulevard and attended Ann Arbor High. After
his graduation in 1944, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
where he served as a rifleman in Japan in WWII. On October 19, 1957,
he married the love of his life JoAnn Beusterien and soon after built a
house on Anderson Avenue, two blocks from his childhood home. There they
raised three children and were founding members of St. Francis of
Assisi Catholic Church. He was active in the church as a Eucharistic
minister and a member of the Knights of Columbus. George worked as a
typesetter for The University of Michigan Printing Services until his
retirement in 1986. Afterward, he remained active as a volunteer with
the Red Cross and Meals on Wheels, travelled with JoAnn, and enjoyed
being a part of his grandchildren’s lives.
As a youth, George was actively involved in sports, playing football,
baseball, and golf at Ann Arbor High School. As an adult, he was a
coach and referee for a variety of local youth sports programs including
baseball, football and basketball. He was also a big fan of University
of Michigan sports; he worked at both the football and basketball
stadiums and was a goal judge at Yost Ice Arena for over 20 years. In
2006, he was honored on the field at the University of Michigan football
stadium ("The Big House”) for 65 years of service.
George was an avid outdoorsman and gardener. He kept a large and varied
vegetable garden every year and his tomatoes were enjoyed by the entire
neighborhood. His favorite place was "up north” at his lakeside cabin
in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where he enjoyed fishing, walking in the
woods, picking berries, and "puttering”.
His final two years were spent at University Living, where he developed a
special bond with his caregivers, keeping them laughing with his quick
wit and gentle spirit. George’s family is truly grateful for the
compassionate care he received at University Living and from the staff
at Great Lakes Hospice.