Gerald Lawrence "Jerry" Slocum, age 79, formerly of Elbridge, "graduated to glory" on Thursday, May 8, 2014 in the home of his loving caregivers, Ray & Pat Bruin, of Mears MI. He was born in Elbridge Township to Lawrence and Ruth (Goodrich) Slocum on June 25, 1934. Growing up in the depression Jerry learned hard work and frugality; life skills he would take with him throughout his life. He attended the Houk and Cedar Schools and graduated in 1954 from Hart High School. After a short time at Buick in Flint, he was drafted into the United States Navy in 1956 where he served for 6 months before receiving a general discharge. He returned home to farm, raising fruit and Christmas trees for over 50 years as the co-owner of Slocum Brothers Tree Farms with his brother, Ted. While Jerry could be very opinionated and outspoken, he also had a way of winning people over with the softer and fun loving side of his personality.

Jerry married the former Phyllis Young in Benton Harbor MI on August 12, 1962. Together they raised five children of their own while mentoring and housing numerous other young people over the years. Jerry was an "idea man" and enjoyed having a project going whether it was fashioning specialized farm equipment, building a stone wall or making a playhouse for his grandchildren. He also enjoyed oil well drilling, as well as learning more about soils and fir tree propagation. He always had a cat and loved ice cream. There was rarely a week that went by that he didn't visit an auction sale or junk yard. When he became "semi-retired, he took up big game hunting and enjoyed cooking. It was also at this point in his life he personally accepted, by faith, the "work" Christ did on the cross for him and began to live life from a new perspective.

Jerry was named Outstanding Young Farmer by the Oceana Jaycees in 1967 and in 2005 he and his brother were inducted into the Michigan Christmas Tree Association's Hall of Fame for their contributions to the Christmas tree industry of Michigan.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Phyllis Slocum of Muskegon; four daughters, Sharon (Stan) Hallack of Hart, Rebecca (Rick) Sible of Casnovia, Sarah Barten of Portland, Oregon, and Jennifer Herremans of Muskegon; eleven grandchildren – Megan (Calvin), Lauren, Jacob, Caleb, Elizabeth, Abigail, Olivia, Eva, Maria, Landen & Braden; three sisters, Waneita (Wayne) Dipner of Columbus, Ohio, Emmajane (Ray) Brice of Lapeer, and Shirliann (Paul) Draper of Lawton; and one brother, Theodore Slocum of Walkerville as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, neighbors, loyal farm employees and loving caregivers. He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Thomas Slocum, and his sister, Wanda Kokx Robinson.

The Funeral Service for Mr. Slocum will be Tuesday, May 13, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Elbridge Community Church in Hart with Rev. Dennis Hintz officiating. Interment will be in the Elbridge Township Cemetery with military honors. Visitation will be Monday from 6-8 p.m. at King Funeral Home-Hart. The family requests that any memorials be directed to Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org) or to Hart FFA, 300 West Johnson Street, Hart, MI 49420.