Kim Gerow

Kim Gerow was a devoted father, grandfather, Army veteran, and hardworking tradesman who loved the outdoors and sharing good times with friends and family. Known for his humor, loyalty, and big personality, he wholeheartedly supported his children and grandchildren. He truly made everyone feel like family, often showing his love through jokes, stories, and time spent together. Kim led with his heart in all things and embraced each day as a gift. In doing so, he proved to be a powerful role model for living a full and happy life. Cherished by many, Kim will long be remembered and dearly missed.

In 1952, most Americans considered themselves to be prospering. As the iconic musical film "Singin' In The Rain" premieres at Radio City Music Hall, the popular Mr. Potato Head toy was first sold, and the world's first passenger jet, The Comet, was produced, signaling the start of faster and cheaper air travel. The middle-class standard of living continued to grow and seemed to have no limits; it was definitely a time of great hope. Nowhere was there a greater cause to celebrate the possibilities of hope than in the hearts and home of Raymond and Elizabeth (Ewing) Gerow as they welcomed their son, Kim, to their family on May 26 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

While a student at Portage Central High School, Kim was a big party guy who enjoyed hanging out with his friends. He was a typical muscle car fanatic. Kim also loved to hunt and trap with his buddies Joe and Mark. He spent many years honing his karate skills and used those skills in a few brawls among classmates. One brawl landed him before a judge, which finally made him realize he needed to chill out before something worse would have happened to him. After graduating, he was drafted into the Army at 19.

After taking Linda Stevens on a successful first-date motorcycle ride, Kim and Linda went on more dates and soon found themselves deeply in love. With their hearts set on spending the rest of their lives together, Kim and Linda were married on September 17, 1971, in a lovely church wedding at Portage First Baptist Church.

While Kim was in the military, the couple lived in Kentucky and Oklahoma before he was sent overseas for a year, stationed in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea, a buffer zone and demarcation line that roughly divided the peninsula. Kim liked exploring new restaurants across Korea and sharing stories with his comrades. His love for kimchi and bulgogi was immense when he returned home. He would love to eat kimchi while Linda and family would gag and yell, he made the house stink so bad. He would just chuckle and enjoy his bowl of stinky kimchi.

In 1973, during their time apart, Linda gave birth to their first child. Though the military allowed Kim to come home for nine days when Jeff was born, once he returned to duty, he didn't see his family for nine months.

After he was discharged and reunited with his family, they had moved seven or eight times before settling in Schoolcraft. In 1977, Linda and Kim joyfully welcomed their daughter, Mandy, into their family. Kim worked hard to provide for his family. He began his working career as a diesel mechanic but decided to change careers and started taking evening classes at the local community college to become an electrician. He spent many years being a highly recommended electrician that also provided him with the ability to take on many side jobs to continue providing for his growing and active family. Kim loved to frequent the Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids gun and knife shows to find what he described as hidden gems. His research and knowledge about coins became one of his most time-consuming activities. He would always be looking through magazines for coin sets that were limited made and buy a set or two to share with his kids. He would also buy an extra coin or two to share with his friends or family. He would tell you everything about the coin as to print status, circulation, value and how many were made.

Kim was thrilled to share his love for the outdoors with his family. Whether smoking turkeys or hosting a barbecue, working in the garden, hunting, fishing, or attending his kids' and grandchildren's athletic events, Kim relished being outdoors with his loved ones. Over the years, he enjoyed charter fishing for salmon on Lake Michigan, hunting squirrels and rabbits on Jeff's friend's property in Battle Creek and taking big trips to hunt boar, lamb and pigs. Sharing these adventures with Jeff was a treasure. Mandy was Daddy's little girl, and he was always there for her whenever she needed him. They enjoyed their McDonald breakfast runs on Sundays while everyone was sleeping in. He showed her what hard work, dedication and can-do attitude can provide in life. He taught her that nothing was free or ever provided on a silver platter, so you work hard for everything you acquire in life. You love strong, deep and to always be there for your family. Kim’s humor and stubbornness are just a couple traits that were passed onto the apple that didn’t fall far from the tree. He always made time when she needed to vent, needed a hug or just to go on a motorcycle ride. He loved watching her girls and making memories with them. His favorite time he always talked about was when Savannah grabbed his hand and saying Come on my Man. He laughed every time he thought about that day and told that story.

As a grandfather, Kim cherished every moment he spent with his grandchildren. Special memories include when Brennan was younger and kept calling "here fishy fishy" while out with Kim and Jeff; Kim was rolling with laughter the whole trip. Always supportive of his girls, he loved attending their sporting events and taking them on vacation. Though he hated theme parks and crowds, he agreed to a trip to Florida on Christmas Day because Linda wanted to go. After a day on the beach where they all go too much sun, Mandy smacked Kim's "solar panels" (the bald spot on his head), which got sunburnt. In retaliation, he shoved two green M&M's in his nose and then tried to launch them out of his nose at her.

At home, Kim found happiness tending to his garden, sharing advice with Mandy to help her garden, and sharing his produce with his neighbors. Many peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers and corn were enjoyed over the years. Though Kim was a longtime dog lover, he slowly became a cat person. He would constantly share his food with the animals even the food they shouldn’t have been eating!

Always looking to lighten things up with a laugh, Kim was a natural comedian who never said anything serious. He played little jokes on his nurses and was a great companion for Brennan. Savannah appreciated his unwavering support and inspiration to enlist in the Army. Kim often joked with his neighbor Joyce when she barbecued, accusing her of burning the food and making hockey pucks. He really enjoyed his family get-togethers, which began in 2000 after his mother in law's passing. He loved seeing everyone together. As his friends were family, he invited them along as well. He would light-heartedly joke with and pick on them, which was always a sign of his affection because if he didn't pick on you, he didn't like you.

As we celebrate Kim's life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying his legacy forward. In each moment we inspire laughter and love, enjoy the great outdoors, encourage our loved ones' dreams and cheer on their endeavors, gather for a barbecue, enjoy a day on Lake Michigan, and live wholeheartedly, we keep Kim's memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Kim Gerow, age 73, died peacefully on March 15, 2026. Kim was preceded in death by his wife, Linda; his parents, Ray and Beth; brother, Lon; and sister, Alison. Surviving are his children: Jeff (Deanna), Mandy (Ryan), Sarah Gasper; grandchildren: Clayton, Brennan, Irelyn, Savannah, Lindsay, Chelsea, Brooke, Cory, Derek, Bailey; siblings: Gary Gerow; 6 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Please join us at a Life Story Service on Saturday, March 21 at 11am at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Private burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery.

Celebrate Kim's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Fisher House Foundation or Gary Sinise Foundation.