Gerard Timothy Klees passed peacefully in his sleep at his home in Addison Township on May 1, 2020 after struggles with bladder cancer and other maladies, all the while caring for his wife of 62 years, Nancy. He is survived by Nancy, their children Jennifer (Tom) Cote, Jean Ketterer and John (Heidi) Klees, grandchildren Miles (Michelle) and Tyler Cote, Joey, Bethany and Megan Ketterer, and Nolan and Olivia Klees, as well as five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Lillian Tews Carlson, father Frank Klees, sister Diane Hess and much beloved twin brother Garry (a/k/a “Bud”).
Gerry was born on July 16, 1934 in Detroit, Michigan. Living amid those post-Depression, pre-war years, and through the divorce of his parents, he still fondly recalled his adventurous childhood in Redford, where he and brother Garry met friends Ron Hicks and Jim Cox. He graduated from Redford High School in 1952. He paid his way through college at Lawrence Technological University, earning an engineering degree in 1957. He married Nancy Cox on January 21, 1957, in Angola, Indiana.
Gerry started work at Chrysler (Missile Division) in 1957, and moved to General Motors in 1960, to begin what would become a 30 year career there, mostly at GM’s Tech Center in Warren, and its Cadillac division on Clark Street in Detroit. He was credited with various registered patents, including patents for an Overruning Device, a Leveling Unit, and a Vehicle Impact Energy Absorption and Suspension System.
Residing in Rochester for 25 years, Gerry and Nancy moved to Addison Township for the last 33 years. Even in retirement, Gerry was an engineer at heart. He loved tinkering, fixing, creating and inventing in his home work shop. He also was an avid tennis player for decades and built lasting friendships at the Racquet Club in Rochester. Later in life he enjoyed golfing as well.
Gerry was a great husband and father who will be missed greatly. He achieved his goal of providing stability and a better upbringing for his kids than he’d had, through the faithful daily discharge of work responsibilities, and devotion to his wife and kids. He always had time for family, and provided for memorable family trips on a regular basis. Whether exploring Michigan’s wilderness, or traveling across the country (including one trip to Seattle with 5 people and luggage in a Chevrolet Vega), he helped create family experiences in ways his own parents never could.
Due to Covid19 restrictions in force at the time of his passing, Gerry’s family has made the difficult decision to forego the usual visitation and funeral one might expect in the days immediately following a loved one’s death. However, a traditional memorial service is being planned to celebrate Gerry’s life around mid-summer 2020, at which all will be welcomed, with details to be determined.
