Jack Minore

MINORE Jack  - Age 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 after a battle with cancer. Jack was a lifelong resident and strong advocate for the City of Flint. Jack represented the 49th District in the State Legislature from 1999-2004 and served on the Flint City Council for 15 years from 1983-1998, including two terms as Council President and three terms as Council Vice-President. He worked to improve the city in many other ways as well, including leadership roles in the Flint River Watershed Coalition, the Friends of the Flint River Trail, and as a co-founder, chairperson and host of the Music in the Parks series.

He began his career as an educator in the early 1960’s and was a classroom teacher for 31 years at every level from elementary school to college. He worked in the Ortonville, Bentley, and Flint districts, including many years teaching emotionally impaired children at Whaley Children’s Center in Flint.

Jack was a proud Flint Northern High School graduate (Garfield Elementary and Emerson Junior High) who also attended Flint Junior College. Jack received an undergraduate Bachelor in Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Master in Education degree from Eastern Michigan University. He also completed extensive post-Masters work at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Oakland University. The Michigan Wolverines were a passion for Jack who attended many games and events over the years, including a Michigan Rose Bowl victory in 1998.

While education was his career, and public service his avocation, Jack held many jobs and leadership positions throughout his life. Besides those already mentioned, he worked as the Executive Director of the Genesee County Bar Association and the Legislative Director of the Michigan AFL-CIO. While with the Bar Association he served as Secretary of the Michigan Association of Bar Executives. He also served on boards for East Village Magazine, Michigan Sierra Club, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, Flint Youth Theatre, and the Library of Michigan. Jack was also active with Salem Housing Task Force, Christ Episcopal Center, Music at St. Paul’s, the Flint Jazz Festival, the United Teachers of Flint, the Michigan and National Education Associations, the Michigan Municipal League, the National League of Cities, and the Michigan Democratic Party. Jack was a founding member of the Genesee Recycling Coalition, served on the Advisory Board for the Women’s Center at UM-Flint, and held memberships with the Sierra Club, Michigan Land Use Council, the Michigan Environmental Council, Priority Children, the Flint Institute of Music and the Flint Institute of Arts.

One of the activities of which he was most proud was his role in Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME). Jack worked successfully to convince Flint voters to pass one of the first equal housing laws in the country and subsequently helped minority families purchase homes in unintegrated local communities.

Jack loved to bicycle. He loved jazz and classical music. He loved art. He loved traveling. Most of all, he cherished his family. He leaves behind children Jennifer (John), Steffan (Kelly), Eric

(Brooke), and Jeff (Jalaine), Grandchildren Morgan/Luke, Wendy, Ronnie, Matthieu, Melody, Joshua (Ashley), Katie (Nick), Ronan, Rachael, and Zachary, as well as brand new great grandson: Grayson. He was preceded in death by parents Francis and Hattie Minore, siblings William, Richard, and Jean, and former spouse: Arletta.

A memorial celebration of life will be held at The Whiting Auditorium on October 3rd from 2:00-5:00 P.M.. (Guests are invited to speak beginning at 3:00 P.M.). In lieu of flowers, and in recognition of Jack’s work for social and economic justice for all people, please consider making a contribution to an organization of your choice.