Jack Robert Westbrook

Jack Westbrook, 83, prolific author and local historian, wrote his final chapter on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, with his family by his side. Jack was born February 1, 1940, in Kalamazoo, Michigan, son of the late Howard Hood and Arah Jean (Hendricks) Westbrook. Jack graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1957 where he worked on the Derrick yearbook. He served in the United States Navy from 1957 to 1961. It was while in the Navy that he met his beloved Mary Lou at a USO dance in Washington D.C. They were married on August 29, 1959, and enjoyed nearly 64 loving years together, having five children and many, many travel adventures together. Jack enjoyed a long career as an editor, writer, author, and historian, first working for the Daily Times News and later on, Cline Advertising and Marketing. In 1973 he joined the Michigan Oil & Gas News as managing editor, a position he held until 2001, though he continued to write columns for the magazine for several years after. He was a monthly contributor to the Michigan Traveler magazine and wrote a regular photo history column for the Mt. Pleasant Monthly Magazine. Starting in 2006, Jack wrote and edited three books about Michigan's oil and gas industry and went on to produce over a dozen more books on the history of Mt. Pleasant, CMU, and Isabella County, as well as a historical fiction novel, titled Kaisa. For several years, Jack was president of the Mt. Pleasant Area Historical Society with Mary Lou serving as secretary. He was the author of "Mid­ Michigan History," a regular feature in The Morning Sun. Jack's expertise on Michigan's petroleum industry, as well as his passionate enthusiasm for the history of the mid-Michigan area, made him a sought-after speaker in Michigan and beyond. Jack enjoyed meeting his "book fans" whether at a book signing, craft fair, or out and about in Mt. Pleasant. Jack is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Muskegon; five children, Lydia Westbrook of Houston, TX, Collette (John) Wilson of Holland, MI, Stephen (Kelley) Westbrook of North Waterboro, ME, Paula (Mark) Parrish of Garden Grove, CA, and Mary (Bret Pchelka) Scott of Wilson, NC; six grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; granddaughter, Kristyn Westbrook; and brother, James Westbrook. A Funeral Mass for Jack will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 27, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Loren Kalinowski as celebrant. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Following the committal, all are invited to a luncheon at Lincoln Reception Center. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. with the Vigil Service beginning at 8 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Thursday one hour prior to Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Sacred Heart Church. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.