John Edward Roth (O'Cain) Sabin Sr.

John completed a life, well-lived, Saturday, April 11th, 2020 due to complications from a fall. Born in Detroit on May 6, 1927, John grew up in Jackson, Michigan on his grandparent's farm on Blackman Road. He attended Jackson High and joined the Marines at 18 years old, serving in Tensin, China after World War II. John held on to his lifelong love for planes and flying using his GI Bill to earn his private pilot’s license. He was a skilled, union-employed, tool and die maker. His mechanical talents kept home appliances, power tools and family cars running, as he worked tirelessly supporting his family in their homes on Fairway Drive and Leora Lane. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Peter V. and Mary Catherine Roth; mother, Dolores Roth Campbell; step-father, Walter C. Sabin; birth-father, John E. O’Cain; sister, Patricia E. O'Cain and his wife of over 57 years, Jacquelyn Marie Daane (died 3/06). John is survived by sisters, Sally Sabin of Texas; Connie Sabin Nearman of Nevada, Constance J. O’Cain of Illinois and brother, John E. O’Cain, Jr. of California; six children; John (Diane) of Atlanta, GA.; Jan (Dave Berry) of Marquette, MI, Jeff (Phyllis) of Mt Gilead, NC, James (Beth), Joel and Jennifer (Todd) Zeller, all of Jackson, eleven grandchildren, Aric, Joey, Johnny, Kahlea (Wayne), David, Jessica (Sully), Andrew, Kyle, Jamie (Rachel), Sarah, and Adelaide, and four great-grandchildren, Cruz, Quinn, Ellie and Wyatt. John loved the sun and water, spending summers boating and pontooning on inland and Great Lakes, taking vacations with his wife and kids cross-country to the Upper Peninsula, Georgia, Texas, Florida, California, New York, Hawaii and Alaska. John captured family fun through the lens of a camera, from 8 mm to digital video. He was a supporter of U of M football, enjoyed Turner Classic Movies, watching parades and listening to big band music. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to Jackson Family Services and Children’s Aid (330 W. Michigan Ave. Jackson, Mi 49201), in care of granddaughter Sarah Sabin, CCO, or Southern Care Hospice, Jackson, Michigan. Family also requests any special memories, or stories, be sent directly to one of John's children. A celebration of John’s life will be held in the future.