Floyd "J.R." Jerdon Jr.

Floyd "J.R." Jerdon, Jr. was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather family man and lifelong entrepreneur. J.R. passed away peacefully March 7, 2026, at Corewell Hanson Hospice Center at the age of 98.

Floyd was born July 4, 1927, in Columbus, Neb., to the late Floyd (Sr.) and Lena (Rupp) Jerdon. He married the late and cherished Donna Thomas March 30, 1950. During their 64 years of marriage, Donna was the epicenter of J.R.'s world, introducing him to new friends and experiences: from postcard conventions to vacations to nearly every U.S. state with their kids and grandkids to hot fudge sundaes at "Jone-sie's" (Jones Home Made Ice Cream) in Baldwin, Mich. He and Donna attended or hosted all the kids' and grandkids' events, birthdays, and holidays as family was everything to them.

His loving family includes his children, Judy (Pete) Paruch of St. Joseph, Janet Jerdon of Dowagiac, and Tom (Jodi) Jerdon of Dowagiac, five grandchildren: Tamara (Jerry) Rodman, Ryan (Marisa) Paruch, and Jason Paruch, Ella and Anna Jerdon, and great-grandchildren Will and Nora Paruch.

J.R., his parents and German shepherd Rover moved to Dowagiac in 1940. The lakes, streams and green fields of Silver Creek Township were a far cry from the grinding poverty of his western upbringing in rural Lindsay, Neb., during both the Great Depression and Dust Bowl, where J.R. rode his pony, Silver, four miles to school each way and lived without electricity, running water and sometimes, heat. He survived a severe childhood farming accident with little medical attention. Those early hardships – plus a natural entrepreneurial spark – taught J.R. that perseverance and determination could conquer anything.

J.R. launched his first business as a young teen, running a thriving fishing worm venture at Indian Lake. As a young adult, he worked tirelessly as both a full-time farmer and house painter. J.R.'s natural business savvy led him to earn his real estate license and found Jerdon Real Estate in 1950, working with his father to build a company whose iconic yellow and navy signs dotted lakes, homes, and farms, across Southwest Michigan.

A true patriot, J.R. enlisted as a tank commander in the 46th Division of the Michigan National Guard proudly serving for six years. Every year, J.R. celebrated both his own birthday and that of the country he loved with a spectacular fireworks display "Up North" at the family cottage on Wolf Lake. A highlight of his grandkids' summers was "Bah Bah's" startlingly fast sprint down the pier away from a lit fuse.

Despite his self-made success, J.R. cherished the simple things: mushroom and deer hunting, camping in a large canvas tent with fellow hunters, grilling steaks, sipping bourbon, playing cards, traveling with friends, spending family time at the lake and enjoying his favorite Hershey's Milk Chocolate bars and Hostess Ding Dongs.

He was a prolific storyteller of his life experiences as his life was rugged, active, and compelling.

J.R. served on the county soil conservation district, township planning commission and was a building inspector and a licensed real estate appraiser. Well into his 90s, Floyd still worked full time at the family firm totaling a 76-year run, read several newspapers daily and managed multiple properties and investments, his abilities and work ethic belying his age.

The family is eternally grateful to J.R.'s neighbors, Pattie Behnke and the late Sue Barnes, who delivered him home-cooked meals for a dozen years, as well as the exceptionally caring staff at both Corewell Hospital in St. Joseph and the Hanson Hospice Center.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Riverside Cemetery, 400 Riverside Dr, Dowagiac. A Memorial Gathering will follow the burial from 3:00-6:00 PM at Clark Chapel – Starks Family Funeral Homes, 405 Center St, Dowagiac.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in J.R.'s name may be directed to the benefit of Corewell Health Merlin & Carolyn Hanson Hospice Center, 4382 Cleveland Ave., Stevensville, MI 49127.

Please share a memory of J.R. or leave condolences to his family at www.clarkch.com.