John Binns Albright

John Binns Albright, 87, of Battle Creek and formerly of Lansing, Michigan died peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

John was born January 24, 1939, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the son of John Earl and Gertrude Lois (Binns) Albright. He grew up in Downriver Detroit, near Allen Park and was a 1957 graduate of Melvindale High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history and liberal arts from Wayne State University and continued his education at Cooley Law School. While in college John was tasked with going to Cuba to interview Fidel Castro, an interview that remained at the top of his list. During his career as a newspaper reporter, he also interviewed many famous people including, Mohammed Ali, French Mime artist and actor, Marcel Marceau (Bip the Clown) and Senator Edward Kennedy.

He was employed at the Detroit Free Press, St. Joseph Herald Press, Battle Creek Enquirer, Lansing State Journal and USA Today. He also wrote history articles for Brittanica and World Book Encyclopedias. He proved a point when he applied to the State of Michigan for a 3-bed license to run a fake adult care facility in an empty garage he owned, that he named “Honest John’s Home for the Aged”. This was to test Michigan's registration procedures. John helped start the “Lansing Non-Smoking Singles” Club. He was a member of Jug-A-Mug Ski Club. He had a small sailboat named “Titanic” that he sailed on Goguac Lake and Lake Lansing. He loved swimming and participated in the annual Leroy Sparks Goguac Lake Swim, as a consistent near to last place finisher. John was a member of Toastmasters, was a gifted storyteller and enjoyed sharing puns and telling jokes. He also was a volunteer for the Michigan History Museum. John enjoyed traveling here and abroad and finding his roots in Albright, West Virginia. John wrote a book titled “Cash Corner Clan” about a store that his family built in 1928. He published a daily column in the B.C. Enquirer titled “Who Cares”. John was a gifted writer and will be remembered as being corky, intelligent, adventurist and mischievous sense of humor. He was also a big fan of Saturday Night Live, The Lone Ranger, Carol Burnett and Trazan.

Surviving are John’s children, John (Cathy) Albright and Susan Albright; his favorite grandson, Mitchell Ray Carle; a sister, Virginia Genthe of Palm City, FL and several cousins, nieces, nephews and their families. John was preceded in death by his parents, and two sisters, Jeannette Schotter and Naomi Hill.

John will be laid to rest at Memorial Park Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI; and as John often said and wrote “… AND THE REST REMAINS TO BE SEEN”.

Arrangements are by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Cremation Preneed Care. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.