Samuel Gary Lincoln, a resident of Ceresco, Michigan, died on March 23rd, 2025 at the age of 75. Funeral services arranged by The Dorfman Chapel.

Location of Service:

Graveside

Date of Service:

Thursday March 27th, 2025

Time of Service:

1:00 PM  

Interment at:

Battle Creek Memorial Park Cemetery

Officiant:

Cantor Hilary Chottiner  

Shiva Information:

No formal shiva will be held.  

Charitable contributions:

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wattles Park Men's Club or Jewish Historical Society of Michigan.  

Family Members:

Samuel "Gary" Lincoln passed away surrounded by family on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Born August 12, 1949 in Detroit, Michigan, Gary was a longtime resident of Battle Creek, Michigan. Gary gave 110% of himself to his family, his students, and the Battle Creek community. He was a loving husband to his bride of 53 years, Gigi, and devoted father to Geoffrey, Benjamin, and Ruth. Gary committed his entire life to kids and youth sports. His trademark laugh echoed across every classroom, gym, and field he entered. Growing up in Detroit, Gary worked setting crystals at his parents' jewelry shop in the Metropolitan Building. He led Detroit Public School League basketball in scoring as a senior at Henry Ford High School (24 points per game). A prized recruit, he scored the first points in Oakland varsity basketball history. He later transferred to the University of Michigan, where he met Gigi on a blind date, taking her to watch him play intramural basketball. He earned a bachelor's degree in history and master's educational administration. At 21, Gary ran for school board in Detroit. He also worked as a mailman and drugstore clerk, and coached countless little league teams in the city. Gary and Gigi lived and taught in Arizona and Australia before returning to Michigan and creating their life in Battle Creek. Gary taught for 30 years in Harper Creek Schools, retiring in 2004. He was the first teacher in the district whose classroom had a computer, a Franklin he purchased himself. After working as an elementary school teacher, he became a beloved junior high gym teacher, teaching students how to score bowling, decorating the locker rooms with homemade Sports Illustrated collages, and culminating every sport unit with a tournament that featured the winning team taking home the cherished bracket poster. He later served on the Harper Creek school board. Gary coached 25 years, helming both the Harper Creek girls and boys varsity basketball teams. He led the girls to the 1979 Twin Valley championship and reunited them for a wonderful 40th anniversary celebration. His most treasured years on the sideline were coaching his sons, Geoff and Ben. Gary was executive director of Wattles Park Men's Club, a youth rec-sports organization with 1,000s of participants. Accomplishing a major goal years in the making, he took great pride in the construction of a new indoor facility in 2022. However, perhaps his favorite responsibilities at WPMC were flipping burgers while chatting with everyone at the grill and picking new menu items for the concession stand. Gary won a George Award from the Battle Creek Enquirer for his work with Wattles. He's enshrined in the Michigan Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and was a member of Temple Beth El. He staunchly advocated for the marginalized, including awarding a scholarship in his mother's name for a student who faced discrimination. Gary enjoyed attending and watching sports, especially Michigan. He and his family took trips to Final Fours and Rose Bowls. He even participated in Detroit Tigers fantasy camp in Lakeland, Florida. As season-ticket holders, Gary and Gigi relished frequenting Miller Auditorium for shows. Gary is survived by his wife Margaret "Gigi" Lincoln, children Geoffrey, Benjamin, and Ruth (Dan), and grandchildren Arianna, Nina, and Sadie. Gary was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Anna Lincoln.  

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