David Sackett

Dave Sackett was a rock-solid, salt-of-the-earth kind of man, a man who excelled at all that he did. Dave was a builder, a fixer, a father and friend, a man who built landmarks and friendships with equal energy and ability. Dave was a man known for his hands, but beloved for his heart, a heart he shared with all who knew him.

Dave’s story began in 1937, as the spring rains fell in the bustling city of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Those were difficult days in this country, which was slowly pulling itself from the depths of the Great Depression. It was also a time of great American innovation, as hardworking men and women built the Golden Gate Bridge, officially formed the United Auto Workers Union, and Amelia Earhart began her brave journey around the globe.

On April 17, 1937, a cool Saturday in Kalamazoo, Russell and Ruth (Jewel) Sackett found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named David Russell. Dave was the youngest child in the family, joining his big sister Mary Ellen, who was three years his senior. Dave’s dad was a hardworking man at the Parchment Paper Mill, while his mother worked as a secretary in addition to caring for the kids and their home.

Dave was raised in Kalamazoo, where he formed a lifelong love for the outdoors, and all that it offered. He grew up amid a very close-knit extended family, and loved going fishing and hunting with his favorite cousin, Ron, and his uncle Ken. Dave loved being outdoors every chance he had, so when he graduated from Western Michigan High School, he decided a career in the outdoors was for him — a career spent building walls, not confined by them.

So Dave went to trade schools for carpentry, the perfect vocation for a hardworking, industrious young man with a bright mind and a strong back. He found a job at the Miller Davis Construction Company, where he excelled from the get-go. He would work there the rest of his career, rising through the ranks of the commercial construction company, eventually serving as superintendent. Over his 40-plus-year career with Miller Davis, Dave helped build numerous buildings and landmarks, from schools and churches, to Crossroads Mall in Portage.

Dave built more than a career, of course. He also built a family. On September 15, 1961, Dave married Sandi Kauffman, and it wasn’t long before the new husband and wife became father and mother, as well. The couple had two children, Connie and Michael, who brought Dave great joy. Dave was a very supportive father, and especially enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with Michael, and served as a Boy Scout leader of Michael’s troop for many years.

When he wasn’t working or parenting, Dave was out in the Great Outdoors. He was the consummate outdoorsman, from the woods to the water, and everything in between. He hunted duck, pheasant, turkey, deer … you name it, Dave hunted it, his beloved bird dogs racing ahead of him. He also loved fishing, from the inland lakes in the summer, to ice fishing in the wintertime. When he wasn’t hunting, he loved reading hunting and fishing magazines, and even watching the Michigan Outdoors Channel.

Dave also brought his work home, in more ways than one. He was a man who could build or fix anything, the handiest of handymen, and even put an addition on his home in Oshtemo. He even had an airplane for awhile, and learned how to fly from his uncle Horace. That was Dave, though. He could always do whatever he set his mind to, with a perfectionist streak as long as his work ethic.

Dave’s marriage to Sandi ended in 1997, though the two remained friends. He wasn’t meant to remain alone, however, and on New Year’s Eve in 2001, Dave married Milly Tripp, who brought him great happiness. The two enjoyed many things together, and even went camping together, sharing Dave’s love for the outdoors. He also enjoyed his three stepsons, Josh, Jason and Jeremey Tripp, as well as their families. Dave’s own children had families of their own, as well, and he loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, too.

Sadly, Milly died of cancer in 2005. He was saddened, but persevered, just as always, the rock of a man people always relied on. Eventually, though, Dave slowed down, and in the fall of 2009, Dave began having heart problems. Sadly, Dave died of complications at Kalamazoo’s Borgess Hospital on Thursday, September 24, 2009, at the age of 72.

Dave was a rock of a man, solid and steady, hardworking and handy, a man known for his hands but beloved for his heart. Dave was a builder, a fixer, a father and friend, and a man always happiest in the great outdoors. He will be greatly missed.

Learn more about Dave, view his Life Story film, and share in some refreshments with his family and friends on Sunday from 2:00 – 5:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900 where services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 AM. Interment Wildey Cemetery. Following the burial, food and fellowship will be shared at the Life Story Center.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Milly Sackett; and by his favorite Uncle, Horace Sackett. Surviving are two children: Connie (Greg) Harris and Michael Sackett; three step-children: Josh (Steffanie) Tripp, Jason Tripp and Jeremey Tripp; eight grandchildren: Tamara Harris, Cerise Bloodworth, Greg Jr., Kiesha, Nikia, Kiara, Kianna and Takarra Harris; two step-grandchildren: Ethan and Jaylen Tripp; seven great-grandchildren: Coriona, Kalaya, Dajuan, Jr., Anajah, Sharyha, Damari and DeOntre, Jr.; a sister: Mary Ellen (John) Wills; first wife, Sandi Sackett; special cousin, Ron Sackett; very special nephew Larry Moore and a host of additional family and friends.

Please visit Dave’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read his Life Story, share a memory or photo, or sign his online guest book before coming to the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Rifle Association or American Heart Association.