Skyler Visser

Skyler John Visser was a young man who wouldn't be held back by anything for long, a young man who knew how to live life at just one speed. A young man whom friends and family simply called "Sky," he was always reaching higher, farther, faster. Sky always flew among the stars in his young life, part of the celestial bodies shining so brightly above us. Skyler was a comet, streaking toward the heavens, yet he left his mark - and his memory - on those of us below.

Skyler John Visser was born June 5, 1984, at Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo, MI , the oldest son of Tim and Suzanne (Wattles) Visser. From a very early age, it was clear that Skyler was born with an uncommon sense of adventure and an innate fearlessness. He began downhill skiing at the tender age of 4, flying down the hills as fast as he could go. After breaking his leg skiing at age 5, his family prodded him to take up a less dangerous sport. So he chose hockey! A natural-born athlete, Skyler excelled at the sport from the minute he laced up his skates. His junior and senior years in high school, Skyler went away to play hockey with the Springfield Junior Blues Hockey team in Illinois . He played defenseman, wearing the No. 4 sweater. But as much as he enjoyed playing hockey, he missed his home, friends and family and wanted to be among them.

Whatever Skyler did, he did to the fullest, the fastest, with a determination and will to succeed. Hockey was a good example, but far from the only example. He also loved BMX bikes, dirt bikes, snowboarding and roller blading as well as going fishing, hunting (he got his first buck last year), and water skiing and wake-boarding from his family's home on Crooked Lake, in Texas Township. As his mother Sue said best, "It was never boring being Skyler's mom." But life was never boring for any of those lucky enough to have known Sky. He always kept the fun - and the speed - at full throttle. He was a comet, remember.

You see, Skyler didn't know the meaning of "moderation." Everyone who knew Skyler knew he did everything to the fullest. He was very affectionate to his family and friends, and loved giving hugs. He loved his family, and never hesitated to tell them. And they loved him, and together the Vissers were a very loving, supportive and tight-knit family. His grandmother was also very close to him, spending summers with the family from her home in Florida , sharing warm days and fond memories with her grandsons.

After Skyler graduated from Mattawan High School in 2002, he attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College , studying CAD, and recently went to work at his father's company, Tim Visser Construction. He loved working with his dad, loved helping build homes, where he got to work outside. A full-throttle man like Sky was never meant to be indoors for too long.

Skyler loved the outdoors, but he had many loves in his life, the way those that love life so much do. He loved all sorts of music, from country to rap, and he loved working out and staying in shape. He was very knowledgeable about healthy food, but his favorites were candied yams, ribs and chicken Alfredo. Skyler had a great sense of style and always dressed well - with a flair only outshone by the brightness of his smile. He was also very conscious - and conscientious - of those around him, and was exceptionally polite and considerate, traits he learned from his family.

The name "Skyler," is Dutch for scholar, which is fitting, because he taught us so much in his young life. His younger brother Cal admired and learned from Sky's determination and will to succeed. But his greatest lesson was teaching those that knew him how to live - and love - life to the fullest.

Sky was a comet, you see, streaking toward the heavens, burning briefly yet burning so brightly. But his life, and his light, will shine on forever in the hearts of those who knew him.

Skyler John Visser died Saturday June 18, 2005 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Max Wattles. Surviving are his parents Tim and Suzanne Visser of Mattawan; his brother Calin Visser of Mattawan; great-grandfather, Jacob Visser of Holland, MI; grandparents, Mary Agnes Wattles, West Palm Beach, FL, Henry and Jayne Visser of Portage; 5 aunts, Lucy (Leonard) Levy of Grand Rapids, Kay McLeese of Lawton, Beth Wattles of West Palm Beach, FL, Julie (Jerry) Phelps, of Portage, and Katie (Jeff) Clark of Kalamazoo; 13 cousins, many extended family members and many friends.

Learn more about Skyler, view his Life Story film, and visit with his family and friends Tuesday from 6-8 pm at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, Stadium Drive, West of 131. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday evening, 7:00 pm at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Fr. Kevin Covert, Celebrant. Desert and fellowship will follow in the church hall. Please visit Skyler's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read his life story, archive a favorite memory, or make a memorial contribution to the Gilmore Center .