It is with the utmost sadness that we inform you of the passing of one of our fellow compatriots. Jeffrey Pardee passed away on October 15, 2024.
Jeffrey Clark Pardee of Grand Blanc, Michigan, died at 80 years old, at McLaren Flint Community Medical Center, after a brief illness, on Tuesday, October 15th, 2024. Per Jeffrey’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life service will be held December 14, 2024, in Grand Blanc.
Jeffrey was born in Manhattan, New York City, on May 14th, 1944, at the close of World War II, to Jack Howard and Florence Theresa née Brennan Pardee. Jack and Florence met and were married in the United Kingdom while serving during the war: Jack with the Military Police and Florence as a Nurse in the US Army. He grew up in Birmingham, MI.
Jeffrey met Mary Anna Weil while in college at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, MI. They married on December 23rd, 1966, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Clair, MI. This December they would have celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They made their home in Grand Blanc for over 50 years.
Jeffrey graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a BS in Business Administration in 1968. He graduated from the University of Detroit with an MBA in International Economics in 1971. He pursued a doctorate degree but was unable to finish due to a series of bouts of throat cancer in the early 1980s. He received many professional certifications including: Certified Public Finance Officer from the Government Finance Officers Association, and Certified Assessing Officer from the State of Michigan.
Jeffrey began his career in finance at the Ford Motor Company, but devoted most of his life to public service. He held senior leadership positions in finance and management for Genesee and Oakland Counties, and for the City of Adrian, over a combined 39 years. He also served for 18 years on Grand Blanc’s City Council, participating in many public projects that benefited the local citizens’ everyday lives. He also spent one year, late in his career, working as a long-haul truck driver, driving having been a lifelong passion of his. He was an avid golfer.
Jeffrey was a very active volunteer and philanthropist, and believed strongly in helping better the community in which he lived and thrived. Some achievements of note include: Chairman of the Genesee County Economic Development Corporation; President and Honorary Life Member of the Michigan Government Finance Officers Association; Advisory Committee Member of the Lenawee Community Foundation; Treasurer of the Saginaw River Watershed Council; advisor and counselor for Junior Achievement and the Boy Scouts of America.
Jeffrey was recognized for his many efforts in Who’s Who in America. He took pride in being a member of the Jeremiah Clark Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, and that the Pardees are recognized as a Michigan Pioneer Family, having settled in the territory before statehood with a land grant conveyed by President Andrew Jackson.
Jeffrey is predeceased by his parents and his brother Jack. He is survived by his wife, Mary; son, Brennan James Pardee and his husband, David Arthurs, of Palm Springs, CA; son, Kennedy Clark Pardee and his partner, Christina Yancho, of Grand Blanc; and his granddaughter, Delphina Yancho, of Lansing, MI. Also survived by his brother, James Anthony “Tony” Pardee, of Columbus, IN; brother-in-law, James Weil, of Holly, MI; sister-in-law, Nancy G. Weil, of Sterling Heights, MI; nieces, nephew and cousins.
A memorial service will be held on December 14th, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. with two hours of visitation prior the service at Hill Funeral Home - 11723 S. Saginaw Street, Grand Blanc, MI.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Jeffrey C. and Mary W. Pardee /MGFOA Scholarship. (This scholarship is available to students enrolled in Political Science at Eastern Michigan University’s College of Arts and Sciences.) c/o Lenawee Community Foundation: 1440 West Maumee Street, Adrian, MI 49221. Or visit their website at: lenaweecommuityfoundation.com.