LIVONIA, Mich. — Former Livonia Mayor Jack E. Kirksey, who led the western Wayne County city for 16 years across two stretches in City Hall, died Oct. 13 at age 97, the City of Livonia said.
In recent years he resided at a Northville care home. No cause was released. Current Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan said he often led with humor and left a mark on places he helped build and people he pulled together.
His mayoral terms ran 1996-2003 and 2008-2015. Highlights include launching the Livonia Community Recreation Center later named for him, a Fallen Heroes memorial in Nehasil Park, a rebuilt 16th District Court and a stronger commercial strip on Haggerty Road.
Born in Atlanta in 1928, he grew up on Detroit’s east side, graduated from Southeastern High School and earned degrees from Wayne State University. He served about 25 years in the Air Force, including Korean War active duty, and spent 27 years in Livonia Public Schools as a teacher, Grant Elementary principal and administrator.
He also directed probation at 16th District Court, sat as a Schoolcraft Community College trustee and served four terms in the Michigan House. The city said no services are planned yet and extended condolences to those who knew him.
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