J. Scott Flake

James Scott Flake, 57, passed away peacefully Tuesday, March 27, surrounded by family.

He was born Sept. 7, 1966, to Charles James and Rochelle (Jim and Rocky) Flake of Fenton, MI. He was the oldest of three children and a lifelong Catholic.

Akin to all things bright, many often compared Scott to gold, light and sunshine. He was peace in a storm and strength personified.

Scott graduated from Columbia Central High School in Brooklyn, MI, in 1984 and earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in 1988. His charisma and the need for a vehicle drove him into car sales shortly after graduation, launching a successful 35-year career in sales, finance and general management of several Ford and Lincoln franchises in Michigan and Indiana.

His signature sense of humor and unrivaled optimism defined his three-year battle with cancer, won him lifelong friends and endeared him even to strangers. He had a knack for leaving everything and everyone better than he found them. To many, he felt like the center of the universe and was the source of everyone’s joy.

In addition to his parents, Scott is survived by his wife, Bobbi; his children, Madelyn Flake of Mattawan, MI, Carly Snyder of Chicago, IL, Abigail (Lane) Winget of Oakland City, IN, and Tyler Snyder of Cassopolis, MI; grandson, Myles Winget; brother, Joe (Nancy) Flake of Fenton, MI; sister, Jennifer (Rod) Bloedow of Dearborn, MI; father-in-law, Jim Brown of Bremen, IN; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Cyndi Tatich, Pam (Ray) Brown, Sherry (Chris) Simmons, Kim Myers (Andrew Pinter), Rob (Melissa) Brown and Leigh Brown – all of Bremen, IN; plus dozens of nieces, nephews and cousins and “the best dog ever” – Peanut.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Charles and Gertrude Flake and Robert and Margaret Heintz; his mother-in-law, Ruth Brown; and his nephew Matthew Unsicker.

Visitation will take place Sunday, March 31, 2024 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23 at Cherry Road, enter off of Cherry Rd.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 1, 2024 at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church, 24832 U.S. Highway 12 East in Edwardsburg, MI, with visitation beginning one-hour prior.

Interment will take place at a later date.