Carl W. Tracy Jr. was born in Independence, Kansas on September 20, 1944, to parents Margaret Parette Tracy and Carl Tracy Sr. He died on December 25, 2020, a victim of Covid.
He spent his childhood in Coffeyville, KS, where the local Boys Club chose him as Boy of the Year for two years. He was a regional, multi-state Golden Gloves boxing champion.
At 17 he joined the Marines. He was also a boxing champion there. He was honorarily chosen to represent his regiment at the 1964 Olympics. He served in Vietnam and was an Agent Orange survivor.
Carl moved to Michigan in 1968. He met and married his wife Jeri Snelenberger there on March 22, 1969. She survives him.
Carl became a machinist at Baker Perkins for 20 years. After the company relocated, he and four co-workers formed Saginaw Industrial Machining. He was the first company president. He retired from SIM in 2001. Carl also served on the Saginaw County Sheriff Department for 10 years. He was proud of the fact that he and his daughter Justine received their criminal justice degrees together.
After retirement Carl and Jeri traveled the US in their motorhome, finally deciding to buy a home in Las Vegas. He enjoyed gambling and golfing and hanging out with his friends on the Las Vegas Posse. He never met a stray animal that he didn’t try to save and protect.
The couple had two daughters, Justine (deceased) and Jennifer, four grandchildren; Brittany Enszer, Kyle Enszer (deceased), Jessica Enszer, and Jacob Enszer. In addition, he leaves four great-grandchildren; Justine Brewer, Juliet Brewer, Jaylee Brewer, and Kylar Brewer.
Carl also leaves his sister Pamela Parette (John) Friedrick, his brother James Tracy, all of Las Vegas, sister Carolyn (Caney, KS,) and brother Bruce in AK. A nephew, Carl Tracy predeceased him. He leaves several nieces and nephews, and many lifelong friends, as well as his beloved pets.
Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place. Carl’s ashes will be interred in Michigan on a later date.
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We will miss our dear friend. We will miss all the great times we shared. Semper Fi- buddy. The Possee won’t be the same without you. Nancy & Ken
Adoring his wife and family, who always came first, he was a good kind lover of life.
I will miss a friend with an entrancing personality and he could always be counted on.
Miss him so much already. Can’t believe this. Knew it would come, but not so soon. Love him so so much am was so happy I got to see him last month.
Carl is the most wonderful friend I had. He was so kind and generous to everyone. Miss you “Ole Buddy” Love You. Dick.
“Friend”
What a wonderful and kind man, Jeri! I wish I had the honor of meeting him. My deepest condolences. You and all your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
We will miss him also,he was the life of the party,Thank you for your Service,may he rest in Peace
I know Carl will be missed by a lot of people, he was a great person. Tim and I had a great time when we came to visit and I will always have those memories .
I know a lot of people are going to miss Carl, he was a great guy, I know Tim and I had a great time when we came to visit. I’m so glad I have those memories to look back on.
Worked with Carl at Baker Perkins and Saginaw Industrial Machining.
He came to my mind today so I looked him up. Ha was a real good
man that was always really kind to me. Sorry to see Covid got the best of him. I have been in Colorado for 43 years and still remember his humor
Ron Jablonski