John Tuttle

1946 - 2017

John L. Tuttle IV

East Lansing

John L. Tuttle, of East Lansing, MI, died Friday, January 13, 2017, at the age of 70. John was the son of John L. Tuttle and Ruth Root Tuttle, having been born in Adrian, MI, on 10-23-46. John's birth mother, Ruth Root Tuttle, died in an automobile accident in 1951. His father, John, later remarried his aunt, Lucille E. Root Tuttle. John's birth sister, Jane Root Tuttle, survives, as does Barbara J. Acker, who joined the family on the second marriage. Both Jane and Barb live in Irvine, CA. He is also survived by numerous wonderful cousins and his aunt, Bessie Root Ridley.

John had a wonderful youth in Adrian, spending summers at Devils Lake, MI, and attending the Adrian Public Schools where he graduated in 1964. After graduation he attended the University of Michigan, receiving a BA in Political Science. John was an avid Wolverine sports fan having season tickets for football and basketball for many years. Shortly after graduation from "M" in 1968, the Vietnam War dominating the national headlines, John enlisted in the US Army. He was eventually assigned to the 1st 506 Inf/101st ABN in Vietnam where he served his one year tour of duty. He was a radio operator serving in the I Corp (northern) section of South Vietnam. He spent the summer of 1969 in the A Shau Valley, where he participated in the Battle for Hamburger Hill campaign. He received several awards, including the Bronze Star.

Upon returning to the states, he worked for the U.S District Court of Southern Florida until he could start law school at Indiana University in Bloomington. After graduation in 1972, he was hired by Larry D. Fowler, Attorney of Lansing, where they had a long and successful law practice for 44 years. John had a general practice but a large part of it was helping credit unions and banks, including State Employees Credit Union, now Lake Trust Credit Union, Option 1 Credit Union, MSU Fed. Credit Union, and NBD Bank, along with numerous smaller credit unions. He closed his practice in December 2016.

John served on the Board of Directors of the Parkwood YMCA in Haslett in the late 70's and early 80's. He was one of the founding members of the Red Cedar Lions Club and he also participated as a mentor for the 54 B District Court's Veterans Court program.

John enjoyed northern Michigan, especially Leland, Mackinaw, and, of course, his summers at the family cottage at Devils Lake were the highlight of every year. The body will be cremated and there will be no service. Memorials may be giving to the University of Michigan Scholarship fund, the Adrian Public Schools Foundation, or any charity of your choice.