Whitmer Lowers Flags for Jack E. Kirksey
Michigan flags fly at half-staff to honor the former state lawmaker and Livonia mayor, who died Oct. 13 at age 97.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Military
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Jack E. Kirksey, a former state representative and Livonia mayor who died Oct. 13 at age 97. Flags are to return to full staff on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.
Why it matters
The half-staff order formally recognizes Kirksey's long public service in Michigan, including four terms in the state House and 16 years as mayor of Livonia. It marks the state's tribute to a figure whose career spanned local and state government.
The order covers U.S. and Michigan flags and runs from Wednesday, Nov. 4 through Thursday, Nov. 5, with a return to full staff set for Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. Kirksey served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and held the rank of lieutenant colonel as a reservist.
The players
Gretchen Whitmer
Whitmer is the governor of Michigan, who issued the executive order lowering state and U.S. flags in Kirksey's honor.
Jack E. Kirksey
Kirksey was a Michigan politician and Korean War-era Air Force reservist who served four terms in the state House and 16 years as mayor of Livonia.
The details
Whitmer's order directs that flags be hoisted briskly to the peak and then lowered to half-staff, a standard observance. Kirksey, who was 97, is survived by his wife of 68 years, three children, three granddaughters and four great-grandchildren.
Timeline
Oct. 13: Kirksey dies at age 97.
Wednesday, Nov. 4: Governor orders flags lowered to half-staff.
Thursday, Nov. 5: Flags flown at half-staff.
Friday, Nov. 6, 2026: Flags return to full staff.
Political Context
Governors in Michigan routinely use their executive authority to order flags at half-staff to honor former officials, and this order follows that established practice. Kirksey's dual career in the state House and as Livonia mayor places the honor within the tradition of recognizing local-to-state public service.
Michigan residents will see state and U.S. flags at half-staff through Nov. 5, with normal display resuming Nov. 6, 2026. The order carries no direct effect on daily life beyond the public observance.
The takeaway
Public observances like this one give residents a shared way to mark the service of local leaders who spent decades in public office. Kirksey's career across Livonia and the state House illustrates how that service often starts at the municipal level.
What happens next
Flags return to full staff on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the state's ceremonial and defense observances, see Military coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Detroit Free Press.
