Michael Lopez

With an infectious smile that seemed to radiate for miles, Michael Lopez made an enormous impact on the world in which he lived. He was a huge kid at heart who was often pulling pranks all in the name of bringing laughter and joy into the lives of others. Michael touched the lives of many within his community and had a special place in his heart for helping the youth in his area achieve their goals and dreams. It was easy for all who knew Michael to see that the sun rose and set with his wife and daughter - and they were certainly spoiled too! He would do anything for anyone and it will be Michael’s warm embrace that will be so dearly missed, his life ended much too soon.

During a year that was greatly cloaked in unrest with numerous protests held opposing the Vietnam War, and prisoners who took control of Attica State Prison for four days, there was great celebration for the family of Luis and Eleanor (Dominguez) Lopez. It was on May 24, 1971 that they welcomed the birth of their son, Michael, in Holland, Michigan. Michael was joined by his younger brother Joseph four years later and his father worked at Taylor Brass in Grand Rapids while his mother worked at Holland Hospital. Michael was raised in the family home on 22nd Street in Holland and was involved in Upward Bound, a program affiliated with Hope College that is offered to local at risk school students. It was while he was a junior in high school that his family moved to Hamilton in order for Michael and Joseph to attend classes in a smaller school district. While he was a young man, Michael developed a passion for dancing including the salsa and the merengue among many others.

After graduating from Hamilton High School in 1989, Michael went on to Hope College for one semester. He later transferred to Grand Valley State University in the mid-nineties where he took night classes so that he could also work in order to put himself through school. Michael held down a job at Holland High School and also at different restaurants while he was a college student. He also became involved with the Boys & Girls Clubs during this time. By the time he graduated from Grand Valley, Michael was just one thesis short of earning a master’s degree.

Exciting days were on the horizon for Michael when he met a wonderful young woman at the Boys & Girls Club. Her name was Rebecca Reed and they later reconnected at the Back Street Saloon in downtown Holland on a Thursday night. By the following Tuesday, Michael had called her and asked her on a date, although he asked if she could drive since his car had seen better days! Just six months later he proposed to her on a billboard along US 31 after having first asked her father’s permission and showing her mother the ring. The couple was married at Grace Reformed Church on October 13, 2001, exactly one year after Michael proposed.

The newlyweds built a house that year on Maple Court in Zeeland where they later welcomed their daughter, Kamrin Reed-Lopez. Kamrin was born at Zeeland Hospital where Michael was involved with the birth. The Lopez family later moved to a home on Savannah Court in Zeeland where they have lived for the past three years. Michael was a fun dad who was actively involved with his daughter and bath time created some of his favorite moments. He liked to rough-house and just had fun with his daughter all the time. Michael supported his family through his job in the Admissions Department at Grand Valley State University where he was such a hard worker that he seemed to do the work of two people.

Although his family and work kept him very busy, Michael enjoyed many other things as well. His passion was Grand Valley State and he was a huge fan of Lakers football. Michael loved having people over to his home, cooking, and just sharing stories with his family and friends. It was important to Michael that his lawn was the envy of the neighborhood so he was diligent it caring for it, and keeping his car washed too. He had a passion for dancing throughout his life and certainly had good moves. In some way, he danced every day whether it was with his wife in the kitchen or with his daughter in the living room. Michael loved Skiles pizza or prime rib from the Crazy Horse Steak House, and he loved his bedtime snack of nine o’clock nachos most nights. He volunteered in the Holland community including with Upward Bound, the LAUP Committee, the Community Development Advisory Committee in Holland, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Holland. Beginning in October of 2007, Michael attended Ridge Point Community Church.

In so many ways, Michael was such a special man. He was always joking around and was famous for moving peoples’ desks around at work or taping the faucet. Michael was continually cooking, cleaning, or doing some type of project around the house. He made trips over to his in-laws or to his friends just to check in and see how they were doing.

In 2003, Michael became insulin dependent in order to treat his diabetes. He was private about his health and didn’t want to burden anyone, but his condition grew worse when he developed stage four cirrhosis of the liver as a result of his diabetes. Michael took his condition seriously, making sure that he didn’t drink as it would be detrimental to his health. Initially he was not able to receive a transplant, but just this past June he was approved to get on the transplant list after he was scheduled to receive an exam this next January. Sadly, his health began rapidly declining on October 19 when he was hospitalized at Blodgett Hospital and later transferred to the University of Michigan Hospital.

Michael Lopez was a dedicated family man, a loyal friend, and a dancing fool. He had a warm embrace as an outpouring of a heart that knew no bounds. Mike was loved by all who knew him, most notably the kids in his community whose lives he touched. Although he faced health struggles, Mike remained positive and continued to embrace the moments he was given. He leaves numerous memories behind which will be forever cherished.

Michael R. Lopez died Friday, November 20, 2009. Mike’s family includes: wife of 8 years Rebecca A. Reed-Lopez; daughter Kamrin Reed-Lopez, son Darian Lopez; parents; grandmother Adelaide Lucero; parents-in-law Chester and Sharon Reed; brother Joseph Lopez; brother in-law Jeffery A. Nelson; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and niece.

Services will be 1 p.m. Wednesday November 25, 2009 at The Ridge Point Community Church of Holland, 340 104th Ave Holland, MI. Visit with Mike’s family and friends from 2-4 and 7-9 Tuesday November 24, 2009 at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes – Mulder Chapel, Holland, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Holland or The Kamrin Reed-Lopez Education Fund.