Jack Abernathy

ABERNATHY, Jack – of Davison, age 83, passed away on July 3, 2025. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 8192 Davison Rd., Davison, MI 48423. Pastor Linda Graham officiating. The family will receive visitors from 4-7 PM on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Allen Funeral Home, 9136 Davison Rd., Davison and again on Saturday at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, one hour prior to the service, beginning at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Outreach East, St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, or Davison Community Foundation to help maintain Abernathy Park.
Jack was born in Flint, MI on November 30, 1941, son of the late Gordon and Helen (McPherson) Abernathy. He graduated from Flint Northern High School where he played tennis. He married Sandy Gibbons on August 21, 1965. They moved to Marquette, MI where he finished his bachelor's degree at Northern Michigan University. In 1966 they moved to Davison and had two children, Pam and Paul, who were his greatest joy. Jack taught Junior High Civics while being on the Davison City Council and then served as Mayor. Jack was later appointed as City Manager, a position he held for 28 years. His proudest accomplishments were the playscape and the land acquired for the softball fields. After retiring from the city, he then had the opportunity to become interim City Manager in Gladwin, MI where their cabin on Pratt Lake was. After three years there, he became interim City Manager in Clio for three years. Jack's proudest program there was getting the Clio Amphitheatre restarted with tribute shows. Jack was a volunteer and board member at Outreach East and a member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Jack loved their cabin at Pratt Lake and especially enjoyed taking the grandchildren tubing and skiing. Together with his family, he was an avid U of M football fan and season ticket holder for 45 years. Jack enjoyed taking countless camping trips with the family and later he and Sandy went on many trips to Florida, Hawaii, Alaska and European Cruises together. He will be greatly missed.
Jack is survived by his loving wife, Sandy; children, Pam (Steve) Gardner and Paul Abernathy; grandchildren: Brooke (Ian) VanAlst, Bailey (Eric) Gibbs, Steven (Nicole) Gardner, Hannah Connell, Garrett Connell, Kate Abernathy, Gordon Abernathy, and Aaron Abernathy; great grandchildren: Ella and Owen Gibbs, Kinsley and Everly Gardner, Wesley VanAlst and baby Bennett on the way; many other loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Abernathy.