Ken Acheson, former owner of Acheson Jewelers and an Oxford community leader, passed away Friday, March 21, 2003. He was 76.
Acheson was the second generation owner and operator of Acheson Jewelers, which was established in Oxford in 1928, expanded to include a Lapeer store in 1957 and closed in 1994.
He began working in the store part-time while still in grade-school and embarked on a full-time career there in 1948.
A member of the Independent Jewelers Organization, Acheson assumed ownership of the family business from his father, Harvey, in 1971.
“He was very loyal to his work,” said son Jim Acheson, of Ann Arbor. “He always made sure it was done correctly and on time, even if that meant staying until 11 (p.m.) and going in at 6 (a.m.)”
When Acheson and his late wife, Jean, were named “Outstanding Business Persons” for 1985 by the Oxford Area Chamber of Commerce, then-Oxford Leader publisher James Sherman, Sr. wrote, “People cannot work harder at their business; people cannot be more dedicated to their business; people cannot provide better service to their customers; people cannot cooperate more with community endeavors. . .than the Achesons.”
“They provide dignity, honesty and integrity, prerequisites the public expects in the field they have chosen for careers,” Sherman wrote. “The community is also fortunate to have such quality people as Ken and Jean Acheson living, working and sharing in it.”
Acheson’s “generous and forgiving” nature was what made his relationships with customers and the community so successful and long-lasting, according to the son.
“He was willing to put up with being taken advantage of for the sake of more important relationships,” Jim said. “That was the small town way. He put up with it. He didn’t sue or fight with people” because they were his friends and neighbors.
Acheson’s sense of humor and “quick wit” also made him quite popular with the people he encountered, family members recalled.
Like any successful local merchant, Acheson was grateful to the community from which he derived his living and showed this gratitude by volunteering his time to serve others.
As a volunteer for Oxford/Orion FISH, Acheson drove local senior citizens to their doctors’ appointments.
Acheson did his part to help improve the downtown area and keep it strong for his fellow merchants by voluntarily serving on Oxford’s Downtown Development Authority board.
According to Jim, every Thursday he and some friends would clean Oxford United Methodist Church, of which he was a member who held many leadership positions.
Participating in the church’s weekly youth ministry program, Acheson offered guidance and mentorship to local young people.
But Acheson’s service to others was not limited to Oxford alone.
He donated his time, energy and money to Samaritan’s Purse, an international relief organization that distributes food, clothing, medicine and other goods to needy families and children around the world while spreading the message of Christianity.
Christianity played an important role in Acheson’s life. His family described him as “strong” and “devout” in his faith, something he “carried with him throughout his life, especially in the end.”
Although he was dying of cancer, Acheson never once “complained” or said “Why me?,” according to family members.
One of the great joys of Acheson’s life were his 11 grandchildren.
Family members said he attended every grandchild’s sporting event, even if that meant going to two or three on the same night and staying for only a portion of each.
Another great joy of Acheson’s life were his friends.
Family members said his friends were “important to him” and “carried him through” after his wife Jean died in October 2000. The couple was married for 51 years. “He regularly met with a circle of friends at Big Boy,” recalled one family member.
When he wasn’t running the business or serving the community or spending time with family and friends, Acheson loved to travel, play golf and was an avid model railroad enthusiast for many years.
Acheson was a 1944 graduate of Oxford High School, where he served as class president.
Roger Oberg, Acheson’s former teacher, baseball coach and neighbor, remembered him fondly.
“He was a good student, good citizen and a community leader,” Oberg said. “He was easy going. Very thoughtful. He was just a wonderful person.”
After his high school graduation, Acheson entered the U.S. Army and served from 1944 to 1947
Following his service to his country, Acheson attended and graduated from Michigan State University with a business degree.
From 1988 to 2000, he served on the Oxford Bank Board of Directors.
“He was one of our very fine directors for a long period of time,” said bank President Randy Fox. “He represented in his personal life the types of values we all share at Oxford Bank. He was a family man, community volunteer, hard-working, productive, exercised good judgement and worked well with others.”
Acheson is survived by his brother Marvin (Shirley) Acheson; children James (Marilyn) Acheson of Ann Arbor, Patricia (Andy) Wasylyna of Leonard, Janice (Jay) Smith of Oxford, Judy (Terry) Royster of Oxford and Robert (Lenora) Acheson of Clarkston; and 11 grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents Harvey and Edith Acheson and wife Jean Acheson.
Acheson’s funeral was held Tuesday at Oxford United Methodist Church. The Rev. Dr. Joseph R. Baunoch officiated. Services were handled by Bossardet Chapel Lynch and Sons Funeral Directors. He was buried at Kingsbury Cemetery in Addison Township.
Memorial contributions to Oxford United Methodist Church or the Samaritan’s Purse are appreciated.