Fay T. CLOSE

CLOSE, Fay T. -- Age 96, of Swartz Creek, died April 29, 2011 at Sugarbush Adult Foster Care. Funeral services will be held 11 AM Monday, May 2 at the West Flint Church of the Nazarene, 2254 S. Dye Rd., Flint with his grandson, Rev. Steven Close officiating. Interment in Bristol Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-4 & 6-8 PM Sunday at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Rd., Swartz Creek; and from 10 AM until the time of funeral at the church Monday. Those desiring may make contributions to the West Flint Nazarene Compassionate Ministries. Fay was born September 9, 1914. He is ever grateful to adoptive parents, Ralph and Clarabelle Close who brought him into their home on the farm at 3 weeks of age. He resided on the farm all his life. Fay was in the first class to graduate from the new Mary Crapo High School in 1933. He played 4 years on the football team which played their games in the alfalfa field behind the school. He married Lela M. Parsell, his grade school sweetheart, December 16, 1939. She preceded him in death March 17, 2009. Fay retired from Meade Merchants in 1977 as a truck driver. He never retired from farming, where he thoroughly enjoyed selling strawberries, sweet corn, vegetables, and firewood until age 90. His great pleasure was greeting customers who all became friends. He was a faithful Christian and loyal churchman who celebrated God's love daily. Surviving are son, Ralph (Jan) Close of Swartz Creek; grandsons Steven (Julie) Close of Flushing, Michael (Kina) of Davison, Alan (Sara) of Grand Rapids, and Joel (Erika) Close of Raleigh, North Carolina; and 12 beloved great grandchildren. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Mrs. Sherry Fortier-Patrick of Helping Hand Nursing Services and Mrs. Janine Stoddard and all her compassionate staff at Sugarbush AFC. Tributes may be shared on the obituaries page at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com

Visitation

Sunday, May 1, 2011 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Sharp Funeral Homes - Miller Road Chapel
8138 Miller Road Swartz Creek 48473, United States