Earl John Rapson

Earl John Rapson, known to all as John or Johnny, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2026, at the age of 91. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on December 31, 1934, to Charles Earl Rapson and Helen (Pointen) Rapson, John grew up in Royal Oak and graduated from Royal Oak High School in 1953. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Michigan in 1957. That same year, on August 3, he married his childhood sweetheart, Geraldine “Gerry” Spanke, beginning a loving marriage that lasted 68 years.

After college, John served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts. Upon returning to Michigan, he built a distinguished 39-year career as a buyer in men’s clothing with J.L. Hudson’s Department Store, later Dayton Hudson. In 1984, a company merger took John and Gerry to Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they lived until his retirement in 1997. Deeply rooted in their Catholic faith, John and Gerry were longtime parishioners at St. Columban in Birmingham, Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, Christ Our Light Catholic Community, and most recently Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Northville after moving to Novi in 2025.

John lived with optimism, curiosity, and a genuine love for people. He cherished travel, often taking Gerry and their children on work trips and later planning special journeys across the United States with each grandchild once they turned twelve. A devoted University of Michigan fan, he encouraged education and hard work while always believing in the potential of his family. Known for his humor, warmth, and the playful question “Are you friendly?”, John showed up faithfully for every important moment—sporting events, performances, recitals, celebrations, and times of need—believing that presence was one of life’s greatest gifts. He faced every season with the simple conviction that “My whole life is joy.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Margaret “Peggy” Green, and his granddaughter Kaylie Rapson. John is survived by his beloved wife Geraldine; daughters Cheryl (Scott) Smith of Milford, Michigan, and Cami (Sean) Wright of Green Bay, Wisconsin; sons John (Renee) Rapson of Beverly Hills, Michigan, Ron (Colleen) Rapson of Northville, Michigan, and Tom Rapson (longtime friend Ellen Piligian) of Rochester, Michigan; twelve grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren with two more on the way; his sister Lynda Wrobel of Memphis, Tennessee; and many nieces and nephews.