June 29, 1937 – October 9, 2018
Jack Gerald Badger, 81, went to his eternal home on October 9, 2018, after a five-year illness with Primary Progressive Aphasia. He was born on June 29, 1937 in South Bend, Ind., and was the son of Harry T. Badger and Marjorie (LaMar) Badger, both deceased.
He married his high school sweetheart, Ila (Reeve) Badger in 1959. His two sons, David Reeve Badger and Mark Thomas Badger preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife of 59 years and two daughters, Cheryl Kazmierzak and husband, Roy, and Lisa Badger. He was the proud grandfather of Kyle Hans Bush and Ashley Laca and husband, Michael. Jack was also a great-grandfather to twins, Brynn Noel Laca and Jax Conrad Laca. He has two surviving brothers, Robert Badger (Liliane) of Virginia, and Rob Lane (Gina) of South Carolina.
Jack graduated from John Adams High School in South Bend (’55), Ball State University (’60) and from the Harvard Business Program for Management Development (’79). He was a member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and Blue Key Honorary Fraternity. Jack started his career in education, then worked for 3M Co. in Minnesota. In 1968 he was hired by Steel Parts Corp. in Tipton and retired as Vice President of Marketing after 34 years.
In 1968 Jack moved his family to a little town in Indiana called Carmel, population 3,500. Carmel was immediately his beloved hometown. Jack was always a proud ambassador and promoter of Carmel. After family and faith, the three words that best described Jack were integrity, loyalty and service. God blessed Jack with many talents and abundant energy and he loved using them at home and through volunteering for worthy organizations including, but not limited to, the Carmel High School Athletic Program, CarmelFest Spark Buttons, he served on the Carmel Redevelopment Authority, the Indiana Donor Network, the Board of Donate Life Indiana, the Center for the Performing Arts, Woodland Springs Homeowners Association, and the Carmel United Methodist Church; but the project that was dearest to his heart was being the Development Chairman of the Carmel Dads’ Club Mark Badger Memorial Park that was named in honor of his son.
With heartfelt gratitude our family wants to thank our friends, our church family and the Carmel community for your outpouring of love, support and prayers. And special thanks to Anna Howard, Managing Attorney, who guided us through this journey, and Dr. William Arnold and Dr. David Spangler for their compassionate care of Jack. We are blessed.
Services will be held at Carmel United Methodist Church where Jack was an active member for 50 years. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, October 18, and a service will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, October 19.
If desired, in lieu of flowers a contribution to the Carmel Dads’ Club would honor Jack and be greatly appreciated by the youth of Carmel. Please visit flannerbuchanan.com to sign the online guest register.
Arrangements were entrusted to Flanner Buchanan – Carmel.
Arrangements
Calling: 4 to 7 p.m., Oct. 18
Service: 1:30 p.m., Oct. 19
Location: Carmel United Methodist Church
Condolences: flannerbuchanan.com