Jet Cope Obituary

Jetre William Cope, age 91, of Onaway, died peacefully at Medilodge of Cheboygan on Monday August 26, 2024. Born in Mount Clemens, Michigan on June 25, 1933, he was the son of Samuel and Mary (Perry) Cope.
When he was a child, the Cope family moved to Onaway where Jet went to school and met Alice Peterman. They became sweethearts when Jet was only fourteen years old and eventually married at the Onaway United Methodist Church on December 22, 1952. The last three of his four years in the Coast Guard, Jet and Alice lived in Maine as Jet was serving as the officer in charge of the Baker Island, Duck Island, and Bear Island Lighthouses. After his honorable discharge in 1956, they returned to Onaway where Jet took a position as the office manager at Presque Isle Electric and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1991. With his excellent organization skills, good communication, and consideration for his employees, he was a very effective and well-respected manager.
In 2009, after being blessed with a loving marriage, three children, and fifteen grandchildren, Jet's wife of 56 years, lost her battle with cancer. After losing Alice, Jet was lucky enough to find love again and very much enjoyed the companionship of Ann (Burch) Freel. They married at the Ocqueoc Baptist Church on February 13, 2010, and have enjoyed the last fourteen years together.
Jet loved garage sale thrift shopping. If there was such a thing as a professional garage sale shopper, it would be Jet Cope. Greatly influenced by his mother, Jet's expertise stemmed from years of going to garage sales with her. He knew when and where the best sales were, what was a good deal, what he could resell in the garage sale he ran a couple times each summer, and what to give to his kids. Jet was a lover of older luxury automobiles; the large type that float over the road! He was always in search of the biggest four-door "boat" used car he could find. He loved great big Cadillac's, Buick's, Lincoln's, and even old police cruisers. He enjoyed hunting, mowing the lawn with his International tractor, camping, and traveling. When their kids were young, Jet and Alice camped throughout the Upper Peninsula and into Canada and traveled the country for family vacations and reunions.
The very musically-talented Peterman family was profoundly influential in Jet's love for creating music. With the coaching of Alice and her brothers, Jet learned to play the guitar, banjo, spoons, washtub, and piano. Their family gatherings with music and song were quite enjoyable. And when it came to family gatherings, it was hard to find a more gracious host than Jet. With his heartfelt hospitality he loved to entertain and made everyone feel welcome in his home. In fact, Jet opened his home to anyone who needed a place to stay. Through the years he took in those who needed a family and a home, whether it was for one night or several months. Many became an extension of his family including two exchange students hosted by Jet and his family. Very humble, Jet never wanted recognition for his kindness and generosity.
Jet's greatest passions were his family and his faith. He was a devoted and loving husband to both, Alice and Ann, a supportive and nurturing father to his children; and a grandfather whose heart melted every time he held a new grandchild or great grandchild in his arms. He was an active church member who led men's Bible studies, prayed every day, and loved Jesus. Jet believed in the power of prayer for peace and understanding and did his best to live his faith each day.
Patriotic and conservative, Jet was a member of the Onaway American Legion Post and a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association. He was a man of great character with integrity, humility, and gentleness. Jet was courteous to everyone, showed respect for others, and was friendly with a wonderful sense of humor that he possessed until the minute he passed away. His life was defined by his love for his family, his love for God, and his service to others.
Jet leaves his wife, Ann Freel of Virginia; sons, Rocky (Becky) Cope of Onaway and Jesse (Mary) Cope of Alanson; daughter, Desarae (Gregg) Garn of Alanson; and Ann's children and their families, Tom (Lisa) Freel of Indian River, John (Ann) Freel of Oklahoma, and Lisa (Mark) Bassie and Jane (Tim) Smith, both of Virginia; as well as fifteen grandchildren, more than fifty great grandchildren, and several great, great grandchildren. Also surviving are exchange student sons, Tony Prado of Brazil and Jan Scharloo of the Netherlands; daughter by choice, Liz Stanton, of Lansing; brother-in-law, Clifton Peterman of Onaway; sister-in-law, Katrina Cope, of California; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Jet was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Alice; brother, Sebon; and brothers-in-law, Cecil, Lyle, and Dale Peterman.
Jet's family will receive friends at Chagnon Funeral Home on Friday August 30, 2024, from 4:00 PM until 7:30 PM when Onaway VFW Post #5857 will end the evening with military honors. Jet's funeral service will be from the First Baptist Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday August 31, 2024, with burial to follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Pastor Josh Ferraiuolo will officiate. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Jetre Cope to Gideons International Ministries or Promise FM.
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