Remembering Vern Okopski, Sr.

Remembering Vern Okopski, Sr.

Vern Okopski Sr., who drove his familiar #101 in the ARCA Figure-8 division at Flat Rock Speedway in the 1970s and 1980s, passed away Nov. 7, 2019 at the age of 75 at his home in Clayton Michigan surrounded by his family. Okopski’s son Vern Jr. also drove at Flat Rock, and was consistently in the top-10 in ARCA Figure-8 Series points throughout the 1990s.

Born LaVern Harry Okopski, Nov. 15, 1943 in Garden City, he married Judith Bacon (Judy) in 1962 and she survives. Vern worked for the Ironworkers Local 25 as an Ironworker, retiring in 1985. He enjoyed racing, deer hunting, mechanic work, custom exhaust, shooting pool, doing dishes, two-stepping, country music, decorating for Christmas, and holiday dinners with 50-pound turkeys. But what Vern cherished most was his family and he considered them his legacy.

In addition to his wife of 58 years, Judy, he is survived by two sons, LaVern (Karyn) Okopski and Jon (Pam) Okopski; two daughters, Dawn (John) Boatman and Annette (Tom) Freeman; 13 grandchildren, Amanda (Guthrie) Colburn, Tom (Myrynda) Freeman, Michelle Okopski, Justin (Lacy) Boatman, Heather (Corey) Davis, Kyle (Ashlee) Boatman, Samantha Okopski, Carianne Okopski, Nicole Okopski, Aaron (Leona) Boatman, Luke Okopski, Dustin Okopski, and Adam Okopski; eight great grandchildren, Bentley, Macyn, Tucker, Oaklyn, Nixon, Harper, Jay, and Vincent; two brothers, Jack and Terry Okopski; three sisters, Jeanine Murphy, Darlyn Lopez, and Jewel Okopski and his feline companion, Thelma. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Chris Okopski; and a sister, Aurora Hildreth.

Visitation for Vern will be held on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 13, 2019, at 11:00 a.m. at Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian with Deacon John Crowley officiating.

You may send condolences to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be given to the family for future designation. Envelopes are available at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

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Rmoore 82

I was blessed to know vern just about my whole life and guarentee i will never meet anyone like him. Will truly miss all his interesting stories and underneath all the tough skin was the  biggest heart. RIP Vern "no stopski" Okopski.