Remembering Mid-Michigan Civil Rights Icon John Duley

John Duley, a civil rights and education icon in central Michigan, died at the age of 100.

John Duley made his mark in the Lansing area in many ways.

In the 1960s, he marched for civil rights and helped set up a student teaching program at Rust College, Mississippi.

Duley also founded the Greater Lansing Housing Coalition and a scholarship program for low-income residents of Edgewood Village in East Lansing.

Former State Representative Lynn Jondahl had known Duley for more than 50 years.

He says he’s also a strong advocate of experiential learning.

“Though he was very committed to the university, he always ascribed people’s experiences the same validity as an academic program,” he said.

Jondahl called Duley’s death a “great loss”.

“You have to celebrate a life well lived. He was a hero on a number of subjects. He was such a smart and strategic person.”

Duley died on July 15th.

The Presbyterian Church of Okemos will be holding a celebration of John Duley’s life this Saturday at 11am

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