Clark Ronald "Chum" Noirot

Clark Ronald Noirot was born on November 28, 1928, to Clark and Louise (Wolf) Noirot in Otsego County, Michigan. 

Early in life he developed a love of animals and hunting with his dog and a pet raccoon.  On cold winter mornings he got up early to go the Sparr one-room school house to start the fire in the wood stove.

Chum, as he was known to family & friends, graduated from Gaylord High School in 1946.  While in high school his extra-curricular activities included playing baseball, and he learned to play the violin in orchestra and band.  His first job, outside of Gaylord, was in a factory in Pontiac. 

In 1951 he married Juanita (Smith) and built his first home on the corner of Dickerson & Van Tyle Rds.  His first air plane, a piper cub, was parked across the street at the corner of the airport

Ron, as he was known then, worked at Standard Products, as a roll-set up man for over 40 years.  Clark’s four children, Sandra, Cyndi, Mike, and Kitty were born during these years.

Chum married Beverly (Trimble) in 1968.  In 1969 he acquired a set of floats for his PA-18 Super Cub that he got later that year.  Chum spent many happy hours in his sea plane that made it possible to fish and hunt moose in Canada.  Clark & Beverly spent their vacations in their several different motorhomes going back and forth to California to visit his kids who lived there at that time.

In 1971 Clark purchased property on Otsego lake and, in the following order, built a road, had a lagoon dug for the sea plane, built a garage with upstairs apartment and a hanger for his plane, and finally, a home for his wife.

Clark-Chum-Ron spent a full, interesting, and for the most part, happy life.  At the age of 90 he sold his seaplane which now resides in Alaska, teaching a new generation to fly. 

Chum has spent his last couple of years, when not keeping the garage wood stove stoked, surveying his domain, looking down Otsego Lake, while holding his cat on his lap.

He passed away at Munson Medical Center in Traverse City on January 21, 2023 at the age of 94.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly; his children, Sandra, Cyndi, Mike and Kitty; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy; and brother, Barry.

A graveside committal service will be held in the spring. 

Arrangements are by Gaylord Community Funeral Home & Cremation Service.  Please share your memories and personal messages with the family at www.gaylordfuneralhome.com