John Grzesek

It is with great sadness the Grzesek family announces that on September 21, 2008 their beloved Father, John Grzesek of Thousand Palms, peacefully left the comforting arms of Michael, his caretaker, friend and son who with him as he joined his dearly loved wife Loretta and son Dennis in Heaven. Born March 27, 1921, to Stanley and Stella Grzesek in Jackson, MI, Dad grew up in the Jackson area where, as a boy, he first met the ravaging young lady who stole his heart and who would eventually become our Mother. Mom was truly the joy of Dad's life, so much so that for the last 66 years Dad carried a picture in his wallet of the two of them walking out of the Chapel on their wedding day. For all of his life Dad would show that picture to anyone he could and proudly declare, "This is my bride." Mom and Dad enjoyed 64 years of love and life together as husband and wife before Mom's passing on August 12, 2006. Like all other good Americans, Dad joined the U.S. Army in 1942 for the duration of WWII, and served as a Private in the Fourth Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized) at Fort Dix, NJ where he was honorably discharged. Towards the end of WWII, Mom and Dad were married at the Little Chapel In The Woods, which still stands today, at Norfolk Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA on October 31, 1943 where Mom served as a Yeoman Third Class in the U.S. Navy. Following his military service Dad worked as a guard at Southern Michigan State Prison before his appointment to the Jackson City Police Department in Jackson, MI on July 1, 1949. Dad proudly served the people of Jackson with honor and distinction for 28 years as a Patrol Officer, Corporal and then finally as a Detective Sergeant. During his long, colorful and highly decorated career Dad was continuously and consistently recognized for his meritorious service and actions on several occasions including his work in apprehending the persons suspected in the murder of a state patrol officer, his diligence in other major cases and his outstanding professionalism. Dad's service in the Department and community was truly a family affair. When Mom was involved in a motor-vehicle accident in which she backed over a Jackson police motorcycle slightly injuring the officer there were rumors, completely unfounded, that Dad's promotion to Corporal was influenced by Mom's driving. National recognition came Dad's way when the February 1962 edition of Official Detective Magazine recounted as their cover story a night in 1961 when Dad saved the lives of two of his fellow officers who had been ambushed and kidnapped at gun-point. During an exhaustive state- wide search, Dad went by his gut-feeling and drove down a dirt, country road on the outskirts of Jackson to continue the search. In spite of a driving rain and the bitter cold he decided to roll down his window and faintly heard a whistle being blown. Stopping to investigate, he discovered the two abducted officers handcuffed to a tree and rescued them. Dad was cited for his actions in saving the lives of the officers by the City of Jackson and was awarded the whistle that the officers used to signal with, plated in gold, as a token of appreciation and honor. Dad again came to the rescue of his fellow officers in 1968 when, following a routine traffic stop, other officers came under fire. Dad was able to move in on the suspect and safely take the suspected shooter into custody and end the rampage. After his promotion to Police Sergeant Dad became the head of the Narcotics and Vice Squad and was an early spokesman of the dangers of drug abuse. Dad worked with several organizations in the community and was a frequent guest-speaker at community events, schools and professional organizations while working to fight the early spread and use of illegal drugs. Dad was more than just a police officer though. He was also a licensed contractor and, with his skills and knowledge he organized volunteer work crews, including some of his own family members, to rehabilitate and repair homes of those in need. Dad gained special recognition working with other volunteers to finish construction of the house of a Jackson Police Officer who was severely injured in a bomb blast on the steps of the Jackson City Hall. In his usual simple way of stating things he merely said, "If you don't help your own, who will." An attitude Dad, and Mom, always lived by. In October of 1968 Dad himself was the victim of a bomb blast when an explosive device was thrown into his car and exploded. He suffered minor injuries and was back on the job very soon. What could arguably, by some, be called the low point of Dad's career, and a time his fellow officers would, we're sure, not let him forget, Dad again made the news in a story the local newspaper described as "Policeman John Grzesek had plenty to 'beef' about", when, back in the early 1950's, a cow wandered away from a local stock pen. Among the many people responding and trying to help were a local man on horseback who was injured in the incident, workers from the stock yard and the Jackson Police Department in the form of Officer John Grzesek, our Dad. The owner of the sales barn reported to Dad that the "cow had gone mad" and escaped and the chase was on. Only it was the cow doing the chasing. While searching for the mad cow the crazed-animal approached Dad unseen by him and charged from 15 feet away. Dad ran for safety but the cow pressed the attack and Dad, fearing for his life and safety, turned, and a split-second before the cow would have hit him, fired and the cow dropped dead. We never really herd much about that day. After retiring from active service Dad and Mom moved to Thousand Palms in November 1992 and immediately became active and vital members of the community. Mom and Dad were avid golfers and greatly enjoyed their times on the links together and with their many friends, where the rumor was that Dad, much to our surprise was, somewhat creative, in winning tournaments. Both our parents were very involved in St. Theresa Catholic Church where both attended Mass on a regular schedule and served as Ushers for the Saturday Mass. Family and Church were the center and meaning of our parent's lives and sadly our brother Dennis preceded our parents in 2000. Mom and Dad's surviving children, Yvonne Milbourne of Brooklyn, MI; James Grezsek of Diamond Bar, CA; Michael Grzesek of Thousand Palms, CA; his sister, Helen Ferris of Jackson, MI; and ten grandchildren and nine great- children will greatly miss his smile and humor but are comforted in knowing that Mom and Dad are once again together in love. A memorial service for Dad will be held at 10:00 a.m. today, September 30, 2008 in the Chapel at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 2800 E. Ramon Rd. in Palm Springs. In lieu of flowers donations to our parent's favorite charity, The Smile Train (www.smiletrain.org), are appreciated.