COLONEL CARL W LORD – CLASS OF 1957

COLONEL CARL W LORD – CLASS OF 1957

Lord, Carl W, Colonel of Otsego Lake Township, Michigan

1927 – 2023

Carl W. Lord, of Otsego Lake Township, departed this good earth on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, to be reunited with Virginia, the mother of their children, Louise and Jeff, who preceded him in death in 2004. He is survived by his loving and caring wife, Margaret.

Carl was born in Ann Arbor in 1927 and grew up in rural Kalamazoo County. He graduated from Athens High School, served in World War II and the Korean Conflict, and retired in 1987 as a Colonel after serving in the United States Army Reserve.

Carl was awarded a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Western Michigan University. A teacher by profession, he cared about young people. He taught in both the Kalamazoo and Grosse Pointe schools.

Carl was a strong advocate of public and community involvement, believing good citizenship required giving of oneself. Since he arrived in Otsego County in 1987, he has served as chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals and had a six-year tenure as a county commissioner. He was treasurer of his property owner’s association and a member of the Economic Alliance Board and the Affordable Housing Committee. Recent activities include the AuSable Manistee Action Council, Citizens Advisory Board for the Big Rock Nuclear Plant, board member of the Friendship Shelter, and member of the Volunteer Services Advisory Board.

As finance chairman, Carl was a participating member of the First United Methodist Church in Gaylord. His Methodist background had a profound influence on his daily life. Known for his generosity, he did his good deeds without failure or expectations, or rewards.

Carl had a corny sense of humor, enjoyed playing golf, and was an ardent University of Michigan football fan, having season tickets from 1974 to 2020. He was proud of the balance he found between visiting wildlife and flower gardening, and took advantage of cultural opportunities afforded by Kirtland, Interlochen, and the Gaylord Arts Council.

He was a man of integrity and honesty. His word was his bond. He had no patience with liars or hypocrites but had a forgiving nature leaving good judgment to “the man upstairs”.

Carl’s family and friends will grieve his death, but they will celebrate his loving and productive life. He will be missed by his wife, Margaret; daughter, Louise (John) Chosy of Brownsville, Texas; his son, Jeff of Lake Orion; step-children, Teresa (Ron) Avery, Julie (Adrian) Aragona and Deb Johnson; and many grandchildren.