Frederick McCormick

Frederick Michael McCormick “Mike”, age 95, passed away on August 9, 2025 just two days shy of 96 years old. He was born in Saginaw, MI, on August 11, 1929 and was raised on a farm by his parents, John and Ada McCormick in Albee Township.

Mike met the love of his life, Lorna Joann (Hoppe) and they were married in 1961. Mike was preceded in death by his lovely wife of 63 years: Lorna; his parents: Ada and John McCormick; his sister: Addie Savage; and brother: Jed McCormick; along with his brother-in-laws: Cliff (Jackie) Hoppe and Bruce Schneider; and sister-in-law: Jeanette McKay.

Mike and Lorna enjoyed an adventurous life of 63 years together full of fishing, camping, traveling, and perhaps a little gambling here and there. Mike and Lorna retired in Montana for 25 years and moved back to Michigan in 2019 to be closer to family.

Mike (Fred) was raised on a farm and worked in the fields and on their dairy farm until he graduated from Saginaw High School and attended Central Michigan University (CMU) on a football scholarship.

He graduated and accomplished his first goal in 1951 as a teacher and was hired as Head Coach at Gladwin High School, where he was the head coach for football, basketball, and baseball.

In 1953, he took a transfer to Millington School as a teacher and again a coach of football, track, and basketball.

1956 led him to Unionville High School where he taught and of course spent many hours coaching and doing what he loved. He was a teacher and again a coach of baseball, track, and football.

Mike was also known as “Ace” to his fellow coaches and friends. He dedicated 20 years of his life to coaching. His track teams won 134 regular meets, while losing only 4, won 22 league titles, 40 invitational meets, a record 19 successive regional championships and 4 state team championships. Mike’s teams also produced 13 individual state championships and 5 relay team championships.

Mike received “Coach of the Year” for the State of Michigan, 1972, 1973, and 1976. He was Class “C” Coach of the Year, coach of the Michigan All Star Track Team and a coach of the TRI State Team. He was inducted into the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame. Mike was one of the founders of the ‘Thumb Meet of Champs” and received their “Sports Leader Award.” Mike received the M.H.S.A.A. for 20 years of service as a registered official. He also worked with Little Leagues, 4-H, and the Boy Scouts.

Surviving Mike are his nephews and nieces: Donald and Marti Savage of Traverse City, Dave and Ann McCormick of Cheboygan, Tim and Ann McCormick of Flat Rock, Nancy Watson of Massachusetts, John and Kathy Miller of Rockfort, and Richard and Mickey Martin of Williamston; brother and sister-in-laws: Michael and Peggy Hoppe of Harrison, Ken and Delores Gangler of Unionville, Carol Schneider of Davisburg, and Wayne McKay of Unionville. Mike is survived by many nieces and nephews from Michigan to Texas and from Massachusetts to Colorado to California and even more great nephews and nieces.

Mike will be missed by those who knew him best and by the students that he taught and coached for over 20 years.

Honoring his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025 at 11:00 A.M. at Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home in Gladwin. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to USA School’s Athletic Department. Arrangements are in the care of Hall-Kokotovich Funeral Home. www.hallkokotovichfuneralhome.com