Jason Samuel Flower
Jason “Sam” Flower, age 86, of DeWitt, MI, joined his loving father and mother, William and Reba (Weller) Flower of Farwell, MI, in Paradise on December 8, 2021. Jason was born in Charlotte, MI, on July 17, 1935, graduated from Farwell High School and continued his education at Central Michigan and Northern Michigan Universities. He spent his career serving the Waverly Community School District where he met his match, Janice Dianne Hardesty, and joined as one on June 21, 1975. They welcomed their daughter Michelle (10 months) through adoption on August 31, 1981.
Jason and Janice spent their summers chasing Michelle down the sidewalks of Stevens Pointe, WI, for Suzuki music camp (what a wonderful Suzuki father!), and fishing the waters of their favorite lake house with the loon calling in the distance. Jason spent time serving on the DeWitt Township Planning Commission and enjoyed making a positive impact in the community for a number of years. He also served on the board at the St. Vincent Home for Children.
Jason leaves behind his wife of 46 years, Janice Flower; his daughter, Michelle Lynn Flower; his four grandsons, Jacob, William, Matthew, and Jonathon Groulx; and numerous cousins who have remained close through the years.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 18, 2021, at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his name to St. Vincent Catholic Charities, 2800 W. Willow St., Lansing, MI 48917 or the Alex Harrison Memorial Foundation, Inc., 5420 S. 23 Rd., Boon, MI 49618. The funds will be used to support anti bullying efforts in the schools and local communities. www.seeithearitstopit.org
9 Messages to “Jason Samuel Flower”
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Marie
December 10, 2021 at 6:02 pmWhat a blessing it was to know you. You were stubborn to then end. My prayers to Janice & Michelle
Donna M. Walker
December 10, 2021 at 6:14 pmMy thoughts, prayers and deepest heartfelt sympathy go out to Michelle, Her Mother Janice, the Four Boys, and all of the extended family in support and love. One can only be physically gone from the Earth but never the life lived and the memories shared. Hold tight to your Faith that you will one day be united again. Be Strong, and Know that you are never alone. Cling tight to those many wonderful memories to bring you comfort when you find yourself missing him, just close your eyes, and there he will be… Always With You.
Theresa Cowgill
December 11, 2021 at 11:53 amThinking of his dear wife Jan, daughter Michelle and Jacob, William, Mathew abs Jonathon at this sad time. Many wonderful memories visiting them as our next door neighbors. Rest In Peace Jason.
James Tepin
December 11, 2021 at 7:07 pmFor the family… myself and several high school friends (Class of 83) celebrate a football game every year the day after Thanksgiving on the field in sight of Winans Elementary. This year was no different. Virtually every year, including this one, somebody will mention Principal Flower and his most memorable impact on all of us. Mr. Flower would get called to the cafeteria when the kids became a little more rowdy than normal. He would stand in the middle of the cafeteria and get everyone’s attention… then say, “kids, the noise level is here (hand held high)…I want it down here (hand held low).”. We all remember it. And, I don’t know a single student who ever bore any grudge (and I had a few visits to “the office” myself. May he rest in peace, and I hope family and friends shared some great moments of reflection.
Michelle Flower
December 12, 2021 at 6:00 pmOh my. I have heard this story many a time and must admit that MY children have in fact been on the receiving end a few times. Thank you for sharing this memory
Janet Schofield Rupp
December 16, 2021 at 4:45 pmMy thoughts about Sam, as we knew him in high school in Farwell, were that he was kind and always thoughtful. For many years now, he would stay in contact with my older brother, Larry and his wife, Nancy – and they had many good times at the Michigan football games and other times. As my brother became more ill, Sam would contact them real often just to check.
Our class members now are dwindling more rapidly, but it was with great honor to have Sam be in our class of ’53 , and to know his parents and wife and daughter and grandkids too. Our condolences to those that are left behind. God Bless each of you.
Connie and Bill Wolfe
December 17, 2021 at 3:13 pmJason was a great principal and leader in the education arena as well as a good friend. He always called to check on our family throughout the years. We send our sympathy to Jan and Michelle and the four grandsons.
Elise Wile
December 19, 2021 at 5:36 pm“Mr. Flower” I could never call him Jason, and certainly not Sam.
As a 21 year old who was about to graduate mid-year from Syracuse, NY back in 1973 I flew in the middle of a snowstorm to Lansing to interview for the only position available mid-year in Ingham County.
Mr. Flower went literally knee-to-knee with me during my grueling interview. He asked me so many “what-if” questions I had never even considered. He scared me to death, and I vowed to my soon-to-be husband, that even if I were to get the job, I’d never work for ”that man;” he was that intimidating!
But I DID take the job, and Mr. Flower became my first principal and a wonderful mentor for the several years we worked together. He taught me about the importance of being consistent in the classroom: “Don’t make idle threats or promises if you’re not willing to follow-through with them.” That piece of advice stayed with me for over 31 years of teaching children, mentoring student-teachers, and parenting my own children.
I remember him with such fondness—he was a teddy bear under his gruff exterior, but I have never been able to call him anything else but Mr. Flower.
My husband, Jim, and I send our deepest condolences to Jan, Michelle, and his family.
Elise Wile
Michelle L Flower
January 24, 2022 at 8:33 pmOh my goodness, thank you for such a wonderful memory. I do believe I have heard your story and yes, although gruff, I will always renege the lessons he instilled in me through the years.