David Van De Walker

When looking back on the life of David Van De Walker, it is easy to see both his unwavering strength and his unconditional love for his family. He was never afraid to speak his mind, and he faced challenges head-on with a spirit of fierce determination. Nothing brought David greater joy than spending time with his loved ones. His solid work ethic formed the foundation of all that he did, and his sharp sense of humor could make anyone laugh. Deeply missed, David will be forever held close in the hearts of those who knew him best.

The 1930s are remembered as a tumultuous time for the United States. The Great Depression cast a shadow over the country, and families all across the nation had to pull together and make ends meet in their time of struggle. It was during these years that David made his entrance into the world on February 25, 1936. Growing up David had plenty of adventures, he worked many jobs in the Kalamazoo area and when he was 5- or 6-years old David started doing vaudeville shows. These shows developed into comedic acts with song, dance and stand-up comedy. David made much of his spending money in high school doing shows.

He was raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where he attended Catholic schools and excelled in sports. David was a football and track standout at State High in Kalamazoo. He was a sprinter and an outstanding long jumper with a personal best of 22’6”. Upon graduation in 1956, David was recruited to play football at Hope college but instead he hit the road with three friends the day after graduating to see America. David would not come back to Kalamazoo for ten years.

David ended up in Texas while his friends moved on. He worked a few odd jobs and was doing stand-up act at local night clubs to make ends meet. One day as he was auditioning for a job at a resort, he heard the resort owner arguing with the night club manager about the profitability of the club. David told the resort owner that he could make the night club profitable in six months or he, David, would take no pay. He got both the night club manager job and the performance job. David often said that was the best time of his life as he was honing his skills as a business manager and as an entertainer.

David was coming up with ideas to make the entire resort money and in return other resorts were offering him jobs to run their places. David was also becoming a regionally well-known entertainer as well. He had signed contracts to perform in the Lake Tahoe area for eight weeks to test new material, then go to Hollywood to screen test as a movie comic relief or side kick character. David was then drafted into the Army before he could fulfill the contracts.

During his time in the military, David was stationed in Germany, where he met the woman who would soon become his first wife, Karin. After his military service David and his family settled in Brownsville, then Copus Christi, Texas. The two welcomed their three beloved sons, Kent, Ray, and Steve. Though their marriage would end in divorce after 39 years, David was always grateful for their years together and the children they shared. He thrived in his role as a father and instilled in his sons the importance of hard work and independence. David raised Kent, Ray, and Steve in a farmhouse and always said that it would help them learn how to make the best out of any situation. As a parent, he was fair and would reward his sons for a job well done.

David and his family moved to Kalamazoo so the he could be closer to his extended family. David got a job at GM in Kalamazoo as a painter/glazer. Never one to let grass grow under his feet, David was always doing business, side jobs and working to make things better. In the 1970’s he opened Kalamazoo’s first bike shop that sold foreign made bicycles. He also had a business selling Brunswick pool tables. He built a fulfilling career at General Motors, where he would work third shift as a painter. Once their work was finished for the day, David and his coworkers enjoyed playing cards.

Later in life, David once again found love with a woman named Jacqueline. The two were married and for 24 years enjoyed spending their winters in warm Texas, and their summers in beautiful Michigan. David was an avid fisherman, bowler, card player, and traveler. He took his sons on trips to Mexico City, Texas, Florida showing them as much of the world as he could. He could find the humor in anything and loved making comedic jokes. David was well known for his wit and his street smarts. After retiring from GM David had a business repairing clocks and he continued to travel the country with his wife Jackie.

As family and friends can certainly attest, David Van De Walker truly understood the secret to a life lived to the fullest. He was a constant source of strength. A devoted husband and father, David was a friend to many and beloved by all. He worked tirelessly towards success in all that he did. Though he will be dearly missed, David leaves behind a legacy that his loved ones will be proud to carry on in his footsteps.

Please join us at a Life Story Celebration where stories will be shared on Thursday, September 19, from 5-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A Life Story Service will be held Friday, September 20 at 11:30 AM at the funeral home. Burial at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Celebrate David’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com.