Gary R. Brink

Gary Brink was a loving husband and devoted father. He was honest and dependable, hardworking and self-sufficient. Gary truly enjoyed life. Gary was born at a time when America was enjoying the peace and prosperity of post-WWII optimism. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. In 1955, the Bruce and Lois Brink family eagerly awaited the birth of their third child. Gary was born on May 24th at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon, Michigan. Their family would grow to include seven children: Dan, Pam, Gary, Becky, Shari, Rod, and Jeff. Gary was especially close to his oldest brother, Dan, whom he looked up to and followed everywhere. In childhood and throughout Gary's life, he enjoyed turtles -- having them and rescuing them whenever he could. Gary attended Giles Elementary School and Orchard View High School. He was very athletic and daring, willing to try just about anything. He was a good wrestler and football player. Combine those skills with his outgoing personality, his humorous wit, and his winning smile ("it could light up a room"), Gary was popular among his friends and attracted a lot of girlfriends. He was extremely likable and maintained a marvelous sense of humor throughout his life. Gary 's sports ability also came into play when he became a father. He married at a young age and brought two beautiful children into the world. He became the proud father of Gary Jr. who was born in 1971 and Dawn who was born in 1973. Gary not only raised his young children but also stayed in school, remained active in sports, and graduated. His determination was commendable. He was an outstanding and loving father. He played softball during those years and he also coached his son's baseball team. He was very involved with his children and loved them with all his heart. His children will forever miss how their father never left without hugging them and saying goodbye. Because Gary was a commited family man, he remained connected to his siblings, especially his brothers, through their annual deer hunts. Gary really liked the woods and being in the country, but he loved his family even more. In his work life, Gary found employment in manufacturing. In Muskegon, he worked with Fischer metals, RV sales, and General Electric. Gary eventually moved to Holland where he worked at Herman Miller. He was also very proud to be a reserve officer with the Ottawa County Sheriffs' Department. Later on, Gary worked in the motel business with a lovely young woman who had become his wife. Gary met Jennifer on a blind date in 1990. They knew each other from when she used to cut his hair, but Gary was surprised and delighted to meet up with Jennifer once again. They began a relationship that culminated in marriage in 1994. Gary was ecstatic. This was the most wonderful time in his life. Gary and Jennifer loved being with each other, going to the beach, camping, and spending time with Gary's first grandchild Zach. He was five years old when Gary and Jennifer married, and Zach spent lots time with them. They formed a special bond with Zach. Imagine how delighted Gary and Jennifer were when a daughter was born to them in 1999. Shaina made Gary so happy. Gary loved being with Shaina and Jennifer. He even joined his career with Jennifer when they worked together in the motel business for 15 years. And, once again, Gary could invest his life with a young child and enjoy the fun of sports and play. This meant he had to have the biggest tree at Christmas time. He had to "play it loud" when it came to watching sports. (He was a very vocally animated spectator.) And this "extreme" dad even went barefoot in the snow. It was Gary's trademark to be barefoot at all times. Gary was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather whose tender heart touched all their lives. Gary will be greatly missed by those who loved him dearly: his wife, Jennifer; son, Gary (Lisa) Brink Jr. of Muskegon; 2 daughters, Dawn (Eric) Lung of Allendale, & Shaina Brink of Holland; 8 grandchildren; parents, Bruce & Lois Brink of Muskegon; mother-in-law, Jill Adkins of Holland; 3 sisters, Pam (Dave) Wilbur of Muskegon, Becky (Dan) Webber of Alabama, Shari (Bob) Renes of Holland; 3 brothers, Dan (Deb) Brink of Fruitport, Rod (Dawn) Brink of Holland and Jeff (Betty) Brink of Fennville; several nieces & nephew.