Jack Shumate

Jack Shumate 85, passed away peacefully with family present on December 19, 2021. He was born March 13,1936 in Louisville, Kentucky and grew up in Louisville and Evansville, Indiana. He received a degree in Chemical Engineering from Rose Polytechnic Institute and worked for Procter and Gamble and Adler Sock Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio. Later he worked for Ohio National Life Insurance Co converting actuarial tables and other information into the new IBM Big Frame Computer. In 1962 he received his JD from Salmon P. Chase School of Law and worked as a prosecutor in the City Attorney’s Office in Columbus, Ohio, then worked in the Ohio Department of Urban Affairs, serving as legal and legislative advisor to Governor Rhodes. After a change of administration, he concentrated on real estate law, but also did contract work for Famous-Bar Company. He was working for Consumers Energy in Jackson, Michigan when environmental law was developing and Superfund sites were being identified around the United States. Jack went to work for Butzel Long in 1986 to build their Environmental Department. He was a frequent author and was recognized as a national expert in environmental aspects of real estate law, including Superfund site cleanup, Brownfield redevelopment and environmental litigation. He served as Chairperson of the Real Property Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan, and was one of the 23 lawyers from around the United States who founded the American College or Environmental Lawyers.

Jack is survived by his wife of 56 years, Patricia (nee Berry), his son George and wife Michele Lopez, and daughter Alice and husband Kelsey Jordahl. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church. www.JAPC.ORG A memorial service will be held at Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian Church, 8625 East Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, MI 48214 at 11:30 on January 13, 2022. A greeting period will be held 30 minutes before the service.