Jack H. Chambers, Died May 29, 2018

Jack H. Chambers

Died May 29, 2018

SUTTONS BAY – Jack Henry Chambers, 88, of Suttons Bay, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2018 at home surrounded by his loving family.

Jack was born Oct. 8, 1929 in McMillan, MI the son of Samuel H. Chambers and Zella F. (LaBar) Chambers.  After high school Jack served in the U.S. Army during WWII in the U.S. occupational forces in Japan.  He later joined the Marine Corps and served during the Korean Conflict.  He served as an armorer and rifle coach while in the services.

Jack returned to Michigan became a skilled heavy equipment operator and life-long member of the  International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, A, B, C & D.  He could operate any tracked vehicle and was one of a few skilled operators to operate the Model 6 North West Drag Line. 

He was a deputy sheriff for Luce County, MI, a member of the mounted patrol and a Corporal for the Grand Traverse Band Tribal Police. 

Jack was an excellent musician, there wasn’t a string instrument he wasn’t proficient at.  He wasn’t just good at many instruments but proficient at them.  Jack could play the mandolin, guitar, banjo, bass, fiddle among other instruments and sometimes he would join bands and play with them for hours.

Jack’s musical artistry and recordings have been archived with the Smithsonian Institute.  His musical artistry was also featured in two documentaries, “Good Man in the Woods and Medicine Fiddler.”

Jack is survived by his children, Jack C. (Linda) Chambers, James G. (Audrey) Chambers, Joseph S. Chambers, Sr.; his grandchildren, Clayton J. Chambers, Anita K. (Carl) Melberg; Andrew S. Riutta, Lynette (Gregory) Kempf; Deanna M. Chambers, Brianna L. Chambers; Joseph (Becky) Chambers Jr., Jacob K. Chambers; Desmond (Anita) Berry; his great grandchildren, Jessica, Jordan, Christopher, Alexander, Issabella, Brenna, Brandon, Kara, Kyle, Rose, Kallie, Jayce, Alexis, Jacob, Josh, Leilah, Joey, Angelica, Brandon, Kristen and Kaleb.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Rose Chambers in 1989; a daughter, Rosemary Antoine in 2017; and his siblings, Vera, Kenneth, Hazel, Rae, Jerald, Edith, Wilford, Phyllis, Milton, Dewayne and Clinton.

Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to the 1 p.m. funeral service at the Beaulieu Funeral Home of Newberry on Monday, June 4.  Burial in Forest Home Cemetery, Newberry, MI will follow.  After graveside services, friends are welcome to a luncheon at River of Life Church, Newberry.

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