Jack Korff

John (Jack) Joseph Korff, born August 30,1926 and son of the late Joseph H. and Eve Rozmy Korff, passed away on January 8, 2018. Jack graduated from EGR High School and attended Northwestern University for 1 year before being drafted into the US Army during WWII where he served 2 years and was discharged honorably with the rank of Master Sargent. He then attended and graduated from Washington University, St. Louis, MO and was an active member in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. 

Jack began his investment career in 1949 as a trainee with Paine Webber Johnson & Curtis in Chicago. He returned to Grand Rapids and joined the firm of Walter J Wade, Inc. as a senior VP. His investment career spanned 66 years with such notable firms as McDonald  Moore & Co, Detroit (partner), Manley Bennett McDonald & Co, Detroit (partner), Thomson McKinnon, NYC (senior VP), McDonald & Co, Cleveland (senior VP), Tucker Anthony, NYC (senior VP) and RBC Dain Raucher, Toronto, Canada. He was a member of the GR Jaycees, Toastmasters International, Civitan Club and National Association of Security Dealers. Jack was a 58 year long member of Cascade Hills Country Club, Peninsular Club, Tubac (AZ) Golf Resort and past member of Pinnacle Peak Country Club and Desert Highlands Golf Club, Scottsdale, AZ. Many students from area colleges and charitable organizations benefitted from his generosity.

Jack loved all kinds of sports, was an active golfer and spent many years fishing and bird hunting at his cabin on the Little South Branch of the Pere Marquette River. He and his wife, Kathryn, built a home in Arizona where they enjoyed winters with family and friends in addition to many trips throughout the US and overseas. Most recently Jack enjoyed  summers in northern Michigan with his partner, Sally.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 38 years, Kathryn Hanchett Korff and his brother, Robert R. Korff. Having no children of his own, he relished his role as patriarch of many and "step family" was not uttered. He is survived by his daughter, Marcae Manting, sons, Ralph Manting and Thomas Manting, sister-in-law, Esther (Robert) Korff, her four children, Roberta, John, Sarah and Susan, many grand and great grandchildren. Jack will be lovingly remembered by his partner of 13 years, Sally J. Hicks who brought joy to his life in his latter years.

Visitation will be held Thursday February 1st from 4-7pm at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home.  The mass of christian burial will be at 10:30 A.M. Friday February 2nd at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 1449 Wilcox Park Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion or Faith Hospice.  

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