ALLEGAN COUNTY, Mich. — "I feel closer sitting here where I can talk with my wife and look up at the sky," said Jack Judd, a 94-year-old Korean War veteran in Plainwell.
Jack has become known in the community for oftentimes being seen sitting at Hillside Cemetery, looking out towards M-89. He said he chooses to spend part of his days sitting out by his wife's side.
He lost his wife, Bobbyetta, to Leukemia in July 2023. Five days after she was buried, he lost his youngest son, who is also now buried next to his mother.
"I find a lot of people going by and seeing me, and then coming over and talking to me," said Jack. "They also was helping me with my grieving, and giving prayers for my wife and I and my son, and I just have found it interesting."
Now well into retirement, Jack lives with one of his sons and his grandson.
While he sits outside by his wife, he said he has found himself in the company of many in the community who have taken an interest in him, describing people coming to sit beside him, bring ice cream, or just listen to his stories.
Stories he is glad to tell.
Serving for several years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, he also spent 32 years serving in the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office.
However, he made it clear that he is most proud of his years spent with his wife.
"I'm most proud of the fact that my wife, when she died, we've been married 69 years," said Jack, who on Friday was looking forward to hitting another milestone. "The 11th will be 69 years and three months working into year 70. I'm proud of that."
He said that while he is still grieving the loss of his wife and youngest son, the kindness that has been shown to him by the community has made each day easier.
He said he has made new friends who visit him and has even joined and been baptized at a new church through those who have come.
One of his friends has recently begun a campaign on Facebook encouraging those driving by to give him a friendly wave.
"Sometimes I get over 60 people going by honking and waving," said Jack.
"God has been good to me. God got me through the Korean War and God got me a nice wife...I just really feel good to know that so many people have realized why I'm here," Jack continued.
"It's helped me."
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