Jerry Suydam

Canton – Jerry Suydam, 78, of Canton passed away at 9:29 am Saturday, July 1, 2017 at Kansas City, MO.  He was born on July 2, 1938 in Fairview to Clifton and Jessie (Burnett) Suydam.  Jerry married Kay Pettet on June 21, 1983 in Macomb.  She survives along with two children; Rodney Suydam and Wendy Suydam and their mother Pat all of Kansas City, MO, two step children; Christina (James) Mistic and Angela (Rob) Taylor both of Canton, three sisters; Marnajean (John) Newman of Arizona, Martha (James) Orcutt of Nebraska, and Marjorie (Gary) Shelby of Fairview, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death were his parents, one son Douglas Suydam, brother James Suydam, and two sisters; Marilyn Stratton and Mary Jo Willis.
Jerry attended Fairview grade school, and Ellisville Jr. High, before moving to Colorado Springs, Co where he attended Harrison High School.  He enlisted into the U.S. Navy.  He was trained as a Hospital Corpsman at Balboa Hospital in San Diego, CA.  He served 2 years in the burn and plastic surgery ward.  He then was deployed to a second basic training for duties with the 3rd Marine division on Okinawa for 16 months
Jerry’s professional life was spent mainly in the medical fields.  From being an orderly at Graham Hospital, then doing field monitoring of the State Medicaid patients.  In 1978, he spent the next 21 years as the Purchasing Agent for local hospitals.  Graham Hospital, Proctor Medical Center and Pekin Hospital.  He attained the role of Director of Materials Management, which held responsibilities of purchasing, distributions, central supply, print shop and product evaluations.  He was selected to serve on the national board for hospital purchasing agents for one year along with his local organization involvement.
Jerry most enjoyed family reunions, golfing, baseball games, traveling, and having breakfast every week with his sisters in Fairview.
Cremation rites have been accorded and a burial of ashes will take place at a later date in White Chapel Memory Gardens in Canton.  Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association.  Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Canton is in charge of arrangements.  To leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.