John Alexander Kerr

John Alexander “Alex” Kerr, 77, of Bridgman, died on Friday, September 18, 2026 with his loving wife Kristi by his side. He had an over four-year fight with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis .

There will be no formal memorial service. Instead, Alex’s memory will be honored and cherished whenever family and friends gather together. Memorial contributions may be sent to Illinois Alaskan Malamute Rescue Association, P.O. Box 148, Libertyville, IL 60048. Online condolences accepted at www.PikeFH.com.

Alex was born on April 21, 1949 in Ann Arbor, the son of the late Donald and June (Slote) Kerr. He was a master of many things. He was a natural born teacher who received his training from Olivet College in Olivet, MI and Eastern Michigan University on Ypsilanti, MI. At the time, he and his partner were the only students ever to perform pantomime and write a dissertation on the process in order to receive their masters’ degrees.

His first teaching experience was at Milan High School in Milan, MI. Among the classes he taught there was Drama. After he had taught there a while, he realized he needed more practical experience to give students the information they needed to pursue a career in theatre. At that time, he moved to Chicago to pursue his own career in theatre. He worked in many theatres from Court Theatre at the University of Chicago to Absolute Theatre Co in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. During his nine years in Chicago, he became a wonderful character actor and a director. As a director he won the Joseph Jefferson Citation for Direction of A Cry of Players at Absolute Theatre Co in 1985.

After deciding he had learned what he needed to instruct his students, he decided to go back to teaching and found an intriguing position at Lakeshore Public Schools in Stevensville, MI. He was drawn by their auditorium theatre which was modeled after Miller Theatre at Western Michigan University and he just knew he would have fun there. He taught English, Speech and Technical Theatre there and directed the occasional summer theatre musicals. He always got a good response from the community with his shows.

His students loved him and through the years he has gotten many calls, texts and visits from former students. He always loved hearing from them and hosting them. Most of them were his former Tech theatre crew who loved him for giving them a place to be themselves and have a good experience in school. He loved them back and although teachers aren’t supposed to hug students, he refused to give it up because he knew his hugs might be the only ones they would get. His students helped him to know that he had made a difference in their lives and this world.

Alex met Kristi Blickem at Shubert Theatre where they sold tickets in the phone room. They were married on December 31, 1987. He was a master backpacker, camper and canoeist. Kristi would only do these activities with him because she knew he was adept and could keep her safe. Alex and Kristi shared a deep love of nature and they both saw it as their link to the spiritual. Every vacation they took trips to many national and state parks and rustic areas to go backpacking and canoeing in both the US and Canada.

Alex and Kristi parented four Alaskan Malamutes and one Siberian Husky mix who brought them great joy and were loved beyond measure. He loved to tell a joke to make people laugh and he was a master. Alex will be sorely missed and loved forever by Kristi. His friends and loved ones will long miss his presence, his sparkling personality and his love.

Alex is survived by his beloved wife: Kristi; sister: Sondra (Downs) Herold; nieces: Dr. Rebecca (Martin) Maki and Tina (Christopher) Kobus; nephews: Timothy Herold and Todd Kerr; sister-in-law: Carole (Tony Hahm) Wheeler. He had many grandnieces and nephews, of whom he was very proud.

Arrangements are entrusted to Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, The Boyd Chapel, 9191 Red Arrow Hwy, Bridgman.