Chad King

As his friends and family can attest, Chad King was a vibrant and adventurous man who took every moment captive and lived it to the fullest. He was never one to dwell on the obstacles in his way, rather, he was a firm believer in fixing whatever problems came and moving on without looking back. An outdoor enthusiast, Chad found true peace and happiness in the woods or out on the water while waiting for the perfect catch. Life came full circle for Chad when he found the love of his life with whom he shared the two boys he adored. A true patriot, devoted worker, and fun-loving friend, he will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

The unrest of the 1960s carried over into the 1970s as there continued to be a growing disillusionment of government while the battles for both civil rights and women’s rights gained more momentum. Nestled within this decade that brought us bellbottom pants, platform shoes, and music from Aerosmith and Pink Floyd was the year 1978 that boasted of great joy for one family from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they welcomed a baby boy into their hearts and home on May 20th. Baby Chad was one of seven children born to his parents, Gordon and Pam King, and he was raised in the family home in Jamestown alongside his siblings, Keith, Kelly, Holle, Kylie, Kendra, Tyler, and Breanna. His father worked for the family owned heating and cooling business while his mother had more than enough to keep her busy at home. The King family spent many summers at the Sterk’s cottage for boating, skiing, tubing, and every other kind of summer fun they could imagine. Together they also did some camping. Chad and his brother, Keith, were fond of wrestling and often challenged each other to see who was the strongest.

Even from his earliest years Chad seemed ready to take the world by storm. As a teen he was involved with a local 4-H group showing cows, bulls, and goats. The farmhouse in Jamestown led to a passion for horses within Chad that brought him to his favorite horse, Vikkie, or Eviction by Design as he called her. This passion was a bond that he shared with his sister, Holle. He attended local school including Hudsonville High School where he played football, sang in the choir, and played both the trumpet and drums in the band.

Chad’s life was forever changed when he was introduced to the young woman with whom he would share the best years of his life. Her name was Teri Wilson, and they met through a mutual friend at a party in Kalamazoo. She spotted him from the moment he walked in thru the door while Chad was drilling his friend for more information about her at the same time! Although she was living in Kalamazoo and he was living in Grand Rapids, the couple couldn’t wait to spend more time together. They entered into a dating relationship that spanned more than five years during which time they had so much fun just being in love. Some of their adventures and vacations before their marriage and children included rock climbing, Cedar Point trips, vistiting Traverse City, buying Chad’s Ford Mustang, purchasing their first dog, Kayla, walks on the Holland Pier, Mac Wood’s Dune Rides on Silver Lake while camping with friends, a memorable trip to Kissimmee and West Palm Beach where they parasailed and saw two sharks and romatic picnics on the couch with a blanket complete with chocolate, champagne, fruit, and the dinner he attempted to make her. Chad eventually moved to Kalamazoo, transferring to a Target location there. They soon bought a house in Galesburg and got married on June 12, 2004, at Lake Center Bible Church followed by a honeymoon in Mexico.

Together Chad and Teri were delighted to become parents to their first son, Braydon, on July 3, 2007. With the birth of their son Hunter on July 23, 2009, their family of four was complete. Chad loved spending time with his wife and two boys. Many memorable times with his boys included camping, vacationing to South Haven, boating, feeding the ducks, taking his son's on tons of rides on the 3 wheeler and lawnmower, going to Binder Park Zoo and even local museums. Holidays were usually spent with both Chad and Teri’s families beginning in Grand Rapids and ending in Kalamazoo.

For over ten years, Chad enjoyed a successful career at Target, and currently for the past two years he was employeed with Home Depot. Chad’s position as assets protection manager at Target took him to great lengths, as he was able to assist in many police investigations, interrogation processes, and court appearances. He was even able to be part of a police sting in the Detroit area, and he couldn't stop talking about it! His career work was exemplary, and he was recognized with numerous trophies, plaques, awards, notices of recognition, and pay incentives.

Throughout his life Chad had two passions that he couldn’t get enough of - hunting and fishing. Chad loved to go to his Uncle Sid and Aunt Betty's house with his father, Gordan and his brother Keith where they would prepare their hunting blinds and bait areas taking a whole week to plan for their hunt. Chad also hunted bear in Canada. He enjoyed this trip with his father-in-law, Brad and his brother-in-law, Larry. He equally loved fishing and being on the water whether morning or night.

There were so many other things Chad loved as well. He was a wood craftsman who built several things including a big red barn for the boys and a hand crafted oak Red Wings table. Chad loved the Red Wings as well as the Lions and watching Michigan games. He enjoyed playing basketball with his friends and sailing on local lakes with family, friends, and his boys, too. Chad was into a variety of different music and was always the first to arrive at Wilson’s Bar when they were hosting one of their legendary parties.

All would agree that there were so many things to love about Chad King. He was a proud American who was grateful to those who serve and someone who was always more than willing to help anyone as long as they offered a heartfelt thank you. Chad dearly loved those around him and was deeply devoted to his wife and precious sons. Taken from those he loved much too soon, Chad’s memory will be forever cherished by many.

Chad King died on Monday, January 2, 2012. Chad’s family includes his wife, Teri Michelle King; children, Braydon and Hunter; parents, Gordon and Pam King; brothers and sisters, Keith (Michelle) King, Kelly King, Holle (Wally) Dawson, Kylie King, Kendra King, Tyler King, and Breanna King; grandparents, Ken and Yvonne Jeltema; mother-in-law, Cinda (and the late Bradley) Wilson; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Tami (Larry) Snell, Tina (Charles) Roberts; grandmother-in-law, Mary Lubbert; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Grace Bible Fellowship, 1260 Chicago Dr., Jenison, with Pastor Wally Dawson officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Lake Michigan Credit Union for his children, Braydon and Hunter. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory.