Michael Newcomb

With a warm and friendly smile coupled with an outgoing personality, Mike Newcomb was the sort of man who made a lasting impression on the people he met. He lived a life of purpose filled with so many of the things he loved. It was easy to see that Mike treasured his family, and although he took his role as a father seriously he just may have said that it was his role as a grandfather that was the icing on the cake. Poppy, as his grandchildren called him, seized every opportunity to spoil them and never hesitated to brag about his grandchildren either. Mike was certainly one of a kind, often wearing a different hat later in life with a habit of calling everyone "honey," much to his son's chagrin. The memories he leaves behind will last a lifetime.

As the 1940s were drawing to a close, America was moving forward again after the end of WWII in 1945. The baby boom was underway, which kept the housing market humming right along while televisions were becoming part of American living rooms in record numbers. It was in 1949 that a young couple from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was delighted with the birth of their son on October 30th. Mike was the oldest of four children in his family, raised alongside his siblings, Nancy, Judy, and Tom. Shortly after he came home from the hospital he began throwing up whatever he ate, which eventually led his parents to bring him back to the hospital. At only three weeks Mike wasn't expected to live, yet once he was correctly diagnosed with blood clots on his brain at the University of Michigan surgery was scheduled. He was finally able to come home when he was six months old.

In many ways Mike experienced a typical upbringing. His father worked driving a bread truck while his mother was a clerk at various local stores. Mike was a good kid for the most part, but he did get into his fair share of mischief from time to time. At the age of 6 or 7 Mike decided that running away was a good idea, but once he was standing at the end of the driveway with his suitcase in hand he thought differently. When he was just 14 or 15 he was known to push his parents' car down the street to start it out of earshot so that he could enjoy a night out. Since he had scars on his head from his surgery Mike tended to get picked on, but he wasn't afraid to take someone on in a fight. He always came out on top, and most times he ended up finding a new best friend once the scuffle was over. He was a student at local schools and was involved in wrestling, football, choir, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), and played King Arthur in his junior high's production of Camelot. Mike went on to graduate from Portage Northern in 1968 and then took some junior college classes. From 1969 to 1970 he served in the Army in Vietnam, earning the rank of Specialist 4.

Not to be forgotten during his years as a young man was Mike's introduction to the young woman who would change the course of his life forever. Her name was Linda, and they met on the beach in South Haven when she was 15. Shortly thereafter she transferred to Portage Northern during her sophomore year, and Mike often teased her when they saw one another on the bus. They began dating, and Sundays often found them having dinner at Linda's house with her family. Mike and Linda became engaged before he left for Vietnam and made plans to marry wherever he was stationed next. Instead they both decided to marry in Hawaii, so they met there on his R&R in August of 1970 and were married by the justice of the peace - just the two of them. Mike then returned to Vietnam while Linda came home to Kalamazoo.

Mike worked hard to support his family. He and Linda lived in Colorado for the first four years of their marriage where he began working as a stocker in a local grocery store. They grew homesick, especially after the birth of their first child, so they returned to Kalamazoo where he worked as a sales representative for a few different meat manufacturing companies. He also worked as a manager in various grocery stores in Grand Rapids, retiring when a car accident left him unable to work.

Together Mike and Linda were blessed with two children, Amy and Ryan. He was very active in the lives of his children, and it was clear that he loved them dearly. Mike was there for every school and sporting activity that he could be, and he even coached Ryan's baseball team during his younger years. When Linda worked in the evenings it was a treat when Mike let the kids stay up to watch Cheers, but as soon as they saw the headlights coming down the street it was a race to get in bed before mom found out!

Spending time with extended family was important as they gathered together for holidays, reunions, and camping trips. Mike loved camping, and for several years their family camped with his brother and sisters for the Fourth of July. On the family camping trips they would spend time at the beach, watch fire works and ate delicious meals together. They would enjoy time around the camp fire laughing and telling stories. Mike also camped with Linda and family. Unfortunately, they spent many camping trips in the rain, but made many great memories. Mike liked to drive and would often head west and visit his sister Nancy and brother-in-law Dave in Nebraska. During their visits they would go out to dinner, shop a bit and Mike and Dave would take walks. Mike spent time with his parents at their home. He would take them to the grocery store, and do small chores around their home. He enjoyed his time visiting with his family.

Once he retired Mike had more time for doing what he loved. He was thrilled when grandchildren began arriving, and spending time with Olivia, Sophia, Keegan, Brodie and Kendall was the highlight of any day. Mike was there for all their activities as he had been for his children, and his grandchildren will never forget the way he always said, "Come give Poppy a kiss!" He was even there to dog sit for Ryan and his family despite being very allergic to dogs and cats. Mike enjoyed fishing, which was something he and Ryan did regularly either on Duncan Lake or Campbell Lake. He also enjoyed camping with Ryan and his son-in-law, Chris, in addition to various friends at times. Mike enjoyed food and really enjoyed his daughter-in-law, Nikki's wonderful cooking. Nikki often joked that Mike only came to visit them because she would cook him dinner. Mike was a "runner" for the local Meals on Wheels program, and he loved old black and white movies and television shows like Hitchcock and Twilight Zone.

Mike was proceeded in death by his mother-in-law, Millie, who he had a special closeness with. His oldest nephew, Shawn passed away a few years ago, which deeply affected Mike.

With a hearty laugh that was contagious to those around him, Mike Newcomb brought such happiness to others. His memory for people's names and faces was unmatched, and anyone he met forever remembered such an extraordinary man. Mike had a simple style about him and was content to just be himself, never afraid to do things his own way. He wasn't concerned with building wealth or accumulating possessions, rather, he focused the days of his journey on loving others. Mike will be dearly missed and warmly remembered.