Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on day, October 13, 2026, to honor and remember former state Senator John Pappageorge. 

“Senator Pappageorge was a dedicated public servant who served his community admirably in the U.S. Army and the state House and Senate,” said Governor Whitmer. “My thoughts are with his family, friends, and all those who worked with and served alongside him.”   

John Pappageorge was born in Detroit in 1931, growing up on the East Side before attending Roosevelt Military Academy in Illinois for high school. After graduating, he returned to Detroit and worked on the auto assembly line until he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Pappageorge finished a 30-year Army career as a highly decorated officer and retired as a Colonel. 

After retiring from the Army, Pappageorge worked for General Dynamics Land Systems. He later joined public service in 1989 when he was elected Oakland County Commissioner. He also served in the Michigan State House of Representatives and the Michigan State Senate where he focused on security and veteran affairs. He retired from politics in 2015.  

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and service of former state Senator John Pappageorge by lowering flags to half-staff within the State Capitol Complex. To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day. 

Flags should be returned to full staff on day, October 14, 2026.