Jerome "Jerry" H Broughman

Jerome Henry (Jerry) Broughman passed away peacefully at home after a short battle with cancer on the evening of July 22nd with his loving family by his side.

Jerry was born April 7, 1942 in Scarbro W. VA to Basil and Mary (Zawastanek). He was the third child of four with two big brothers and a younger sister. The family moved to Jackson, MI for work in 1947 and soon settled in Concord to start a farm.

By 1952, however, they decided to make the move south to Hollywood, FL where he graduated from Miami Tech High in 1961.

Jerry loved to work, fix and make things. Growing up he enjoyed helping his dad repair everything from transistor radios and church organs to automobiles. Music especially was a passion. He had a wonderful voice, played guitar when he was young with an affinity for church hymns, and loved to play piano in his later years.
Upon graduation, Jerry made the return back to Jackson, MI where he pursued his passion of making things professionally in manufacturing. He worked as a supervisor at Walker Muffler while furthering his education in business by taking night classes at community college. From there Jerry managed McKay Machine for several years.

Motivated by his entrepreneurial spirit he started Controlled Turning Inc. in 1976. With his wife Carol by his side, they grew and sustained a successful business for many years, later turning the reins over to two of their sons. Jerry shared his manufacturing talent and knowledge for over four decades at Controlled Turning. He trained and taught countless young men and women in the art of making things. It was important to him to teach the value of hard work not only to his children, but also to everyone, and created a professional path to success for so many of his employees past and present.

Jerry was a man of great faith and generosity. Raised as a Baptist, he converted to Catholicism in 1985. He lived and expressed his faith in countless ways. At St. Stanislaus Kostka he was a Eucharistic Minister, choir member, and school board member. As his children grew, he also served on the Jackson Catholic Middle School Board and Lumen Christi High School Finance Committee for fifteen years. Jerry was a fervent supporter of the Knights of Columbus as well, serving a term as Grand Knight of Council 8858, and was involved in many activities of the Fourth Degree 2186. In addition, his faith extended into the Jackson community where he served as Chairman of the Board for the Jackson Friendly Home.

Jerry’s love of making things also extended itself into the kitchen. His cooking skills were legendary as he and Carol hosted countless memory making gatherings over the years. He was a true grill master, even braving the blistery winter cold and snow to cook on a hot sizzling grill all year long. Among many favorites, Jerry’s chili with butter and whiskey was a big hit with family and friends.

Above all else, Jerry was a man who spoke his mind freely and loved his large family immensely. His love, his stories, his humor and laughter, and his guiding presence will be missed beyond words.

Jerry is survived by his devoted wife of 47 years, Carol, his seven children, Lori (Gary) Menard, Michael (Deana), Scott (Kim), Jerome, Bridgette (John) Toigo, Mark, and Aaron (Angela), fourteen beautiful grandchildren, Katie (Aaron) Grove, Malachi (Mykala), Devin, Tayah, Aiyana, Sarah, Samantha, Allison, Barrett, James, Brett, Adeline, Josephine, Michael, and Gabriela, great-grandchildren, Atlas and Charlotte; his sister Susan Belden of Amarillo, TX, sister-in-law Terese of Pittsburgh, PA, and brother-in-law Tom (Tami) Grzesikowski of Seminole, FL. His parents, Basil and Mary, and two brothers William and Richard preceded him in death.

The family will receive friends at the Watson Funeral Home, 2590 Spring Arbor Rd., Jackson, MI 49203, from 3pm to 7pm on Friday July 25, 2025 with a Rosary at 6:30pm as well as the Knights of Columbus 4th degree Chalice service.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Church celebrated by Rev. Tim McDonald on Saturday July 26, 2025 at 10:30am. It will also be live streamed at https://queenschurch.com/livestream/ for those who are unable to make the service in person.

There will be a private family graveside interment at a later date at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery.

In keeping with Jerry’s generous and charitable spirit, the family requests donations be made in lieu of flowers to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Lingap Children’s Foundation, Queen of the Miraculous Medal School, and Knights of Columbus Council #609.

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