Donald R. Brott Sr.

Fisherman, outdoorsman, square dancer, cook - all these words describe Don Brott, but they can't pin down his essence. You would have had to meet Don Brott in person to realize what a truly kind, loving man he was, a kindness that his friends and family discovered every day. Meticulous and patient, shy and generous, Don spent his life exactly where he wanted to be: surrounded by a large group of caring friends and a loving family. On June 14, 1927, Donald Richard was born into the family of Fred and Mildred (Gustafson) Brott, a lively clan of eleven members: Bob, Dick, Arlene and Darlene (twins), Fred II, Delores, and Daryl and Carol (twins) were Don's brothers and sisters. Mr. Brott supported the family by working on the railroad. Don was a fun-loving kid, playing the trumpet and drums as well as going to parties and dances whenever he got the chance. They lived in Lakeside, where Don attended Bunker Elementary School before moving on to Muskegon High School. Before he could finish high school, however, Don had to answer a higher call: the call to protect one's country. America was embroiled in the Second World War, and Don felt that joining the Navy was the right thing to do. After his service, Don was welcomed home by friends and family. One of those friends was Tim Boone, who did Don a favor for which he would be indebted his whole life: he set him up on a blind date. The girl was Lucretia McAdow (Chris), and it was love at first sight. Over the next two years, Chris and Don went everywhere together - movies, the beach, dances - until on October 2, 1948, the happy couple was married at the Lakeside Baptist Church. Chris and Don's first home was an apartment on Moon Street in Lakeside - they considered themselves lucky to get it, since at that time housing was very difficult to find. Don worked at the Norge factory, Chris at McCormick Gas Appliance; both were delighted with married life. Soon they moved to another apartment, this time at Ruddiman Terrace Apartments. After a few years, however, the young couple had a reason to start looking for a more permanent home - a beautiful baby girl, born in 1950, whom they named Debbie. Two years later, Debbie was presented with a little sister, Sue. Finally, in 1952 the Brotts were able to put a $1000 down-payment on their first house: 3241 Mona Street, Muskegon Heights. Chris and Don were very proud of their new home, and Chris was able to become a full-time homemaker. This turned out to be a good decision, since her hands were soon full with four more children - Don Jr., Randy, Shelly, and Kimmy. Don and Chris had created the same large, warm family atmosphere that Don had such fond memories of from his childhood. In 1960, Don changed jobs to become an equipment maintenance technician at Sealed Power, a job he would hold for the next thirty years. When he wasn't at work, he liked to take Chris and the kids on all sorts of family trips - camping at Ludington State Park, Sunday picnics, Sunday visits to Grandma and Grandpa's house, stops at Sally Johns Bakery for donuts and bread, and Friday night trips to Western Avenue in Muskegon. Don loved nothing more than spending time with his family. In 1965, the Brotts were able to buy a mobile home on Campbell Lake in Hesperia, Michigan, which became the site of many weekend and holiday vacations. Don and Chris would take off to the cabin with their kids at every opportunity, where they enjoyed row-boating, fishing, swimming, and dinners of hotdogs and hamburgers over the camp fire. Other times, Don would take his sons deer hunting at Pines Point, or his girls perch fishing on the Muskegon Channel. Don was very close to his children, and they all have wonderful memories of their father, be it on a boat, driving up to the trailer, or just an ordinary evening at home. As the children grew up and moved away to start lives of their own, Chris took advantage of her free time to go back to work, this time at Meijer Thrifty Acres. The family still went up to Campbell Lake often, and in 1970 Don was able to buy a larger mobile home there. There was always lots of activity at their lakeside home, since Don and Chris regularly invited friends and family to join them on vacations. After Don's retirement in 1987 and Chris's in 1989, the couple spent even more time at the lake, generally living in the mobile home for the entire summer. Don loved having a full house, and used to say, "I would be happy if my kids lived with me forever." In 1981, he got his wish: his daughter Sue became divorced and moved back home with her five children. Don and Chris helped raise this second family as if they were their own children - Don was called "Papa" by his grandchildren. In 2002, Don suffered the first of six strokes. Despite these repeated crises, Chris and his family always managed to help him back to recovery through their loving care. A courageous fighter, Don repeatedly came back from his strokes to lead an active and enjoyable life. On July 14, 2006, Don had a debilitating stroke that led him to nursing home rehabilitation. On October 18, Don was lucky enough to be able to come for a final three weeks. On November 9, he suffered a final stroke and died on the November 22, 2006, at the age of seventy-nine. Don Brott was a loving husband, a devoted father, and a caring grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his many friends and his dear, close family. Don was survived by his wife of 59 years, Lucretia "Chris"; two sons, Donald (Donna) Brott Jr. of Twin Lake, and Randy Brott of Kalamazoo; four daughters, Debbie (Rocky) Corradin and Sue Bean, both of Muskegon, and Shelly Ballard and Kim (Mike Degen) Brott, both of Montague; nineteen grandchildren, Tasha, Adam, Chris, Tom, Shane, Shauna, Nick, Dan, David, Matthew, Renee', Joe, Jenny, Melissa, Skyler, Savannah, Dustin, Mikah, and Talan; seven great grandchildren, Tyler, Preston, Kayleen, Kayla, Zack, Richie, and Claudia; two sisters, Darlene (Chuck) Bishop and Delores (Rich) Perry, both of Muskegon; three brothers, Bob (Mary) Brott of Ravenna, Dick Brott of Whitehall, and Daryl (Norma) Brott of Muskegon; a brother-in-law, Orville "Bud" Wilson of Muskegon; a sister-in-law, GeorgeAnn Brott of Muskegon; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Carol Wilson and Arlene Mitchell; a brother, Fred Brott II; and a sister-in-law, Mae Brott. A service will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2006, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel with Rev. Jonathon Rager officiating. Interment will be at Laketon Township Cemetery. Friends may join the family for visitation on Monday, 5-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home (Muskegon). Memorial donations may be made to the Harbor Hospice or the American Diabetes Foundation. Please visit Don's memory page to share a favorite memory at www.lifestorynet.com.