Jack D. Brahce

Jack Donald Brahce, age 100, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025, in Montrose, Michigan. Born on April 10, 1925, in Malmö, Sweden, Jack lived a long and remarkable life defined by hard work, deep family devotion, and an enduring sense of humor.

Jack grew up in the north end of Flint, Michigan, where he delivered newspapers for the Flint Journal, saved enough to buy his first car, and was an active member of Salem Lutheran Church on Detroit Street. He graduated from Flint Technical High School as President of the Class of 1943, later planning and hosting reunions for multiple class years, keeping his classmates connected.

Immediately after high school, Jack enlisted in the United States Navy during World War II. He trained as a radio technician in Illinois and Texas. Jack later served in the Southern Pacific on the islands of Hawaii and both Eniwetok and Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands.

After returning home, Jack attended Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts graduating in 1949 with a degree in business administration. He played on the Babson softball team and after graduation, wrote the “Jack Looks Back” column for the Babson alumni newspaper; two signs of the storyteller and teammate he would remain throughout his life. He was an excellent writer, combining wit and a conversational style. One of his favorite stories was about filling a wastebasket with snow, taking it up to his second story dorm room and throwing snowballs out the window at passing students. He even managed to knock a hat right off one of their heads.

On June 18, 1950, Jack married the love of his life, Catherine “Kay” Reid Anderson of N. Scituate, Massachusetts. They were married in Cohasset, Massachusetts, and settled in Flint, Michigan, but only after promising Kay’s parents, James and Doris Anderson, he would return her once a year for a visit. So every summer Jack would load the family up in the station wagon (later the van) and head to Massachusetts to return Kay as promised. They shared 57 years of marriage filled with love, partnership, adventure, and family.

He told the story of how they met many times throughout the years, sharing it with his children, his grandchildren and anyone he thought might be interested. Jack and his friend from Babson were driving back to school after attending a movie and saw two beautiful ladies walking down the road. They stopped to offer the girls a ride home, but not until Jack said, “I’ll take the blonde.” And, history was made.

Jack owned and operated SpeeDee Chemical Products in Davison, Michigan and worked there until retirement. During those years he received much help from his father, Bror Brahce, who migrated from Sweden at age 15, lived through the depression and made a successful life for himself. Jack later bought the family cabin in Au Gres, MI after his father’s passing.

Jack’s greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his sister, Evelyn McDonald of Grand Marais, Minnesota, his children David (Donna) of Perry, Michigan, Dennis (Kelly) of Montrose, Michigan, Janeen of Grand Blanc, Michigan, and Jack of Lansing, Michigan; his grandchildren Justin (Isabel), Kristie (Scott), Bryan, Jessica (Brandon), Paul (deceased), Jamie (Rollyn) nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who he adored and adored him.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Kay; his parents, Goldie Zerbe and Bror Nilsson Brahce; his brother Carl (Eileen); and his sister Irene Kielts.

Jack lived a life full of passions that reflected his love of simple joys. He cherished the monthly gatherings of the Salem Church Pinochle Club, enjoyed his grandchildren’s sports games and birthdays and delighted in telling (and retelling) stories from his childhood, Navy days, and Babson hijinks adventures. He took pride in landscaping his yard with wildflowers and carefully labeled rocks collected from across the country. Jack remained a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers and Lions - and he never turned down a slice of cherry pie.

After Jack lost his wife Kay in 2007, he treasured his time living with his daughter Janeen and her now late husband, Brian in their home in Aurora, IL, sitting on their back deck looking at the beautiful custom pressed and colored concrete patio Brian created, watching the kids across the park playing sports.

He also loved his time living with Dennis and Kelly at their home in the Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, TN, sitting on their back deck looking at Mt. LeConte, watching birds and occasionally seeing black bears in the yard.

Jack found peace in the beauty of Lake Huron at the family cabin in Au Gres as often as he was able, spending time there with his grandkids and great grandkids whenever they were there. He spent his final years in the care and company of Dennis, Kelly and grandson Bryan in their Montrose, Michigan home overlooking the wooded hill on the Flint River, watching birds and old episodes of the Andy Griffith show.

Jack’s life was long, full, and well lived. His stories, clever humor, and steady presence will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.