Paul Flipper Doffing

Life is a song that each of us sings. The tune and the words may differ from person to person but the message is the same - it's the loving and the giving that make life worth living. Paul Matthew Doffing sang a wonderful song for 44 years - a song of family, friends, and fun, harmonizing with his own special melody. What a song it was!

The 1960's were the age of youth and music. In 1960, Elvis Presley returned from the Army to join other male vocalists at the top of the charts, singers like Bobby Darin, Paul Anka, and Frankie Avalon. Music defined the culture of the sixties, from Elvis's rock and roll, to the Motown sound of the Supremes, and the folk music of Peter, Paul and Mary. For Matthew and Yvonne (Remick) Doffing, life in South Haven, Michigan was defined by hard work and raising their two daughters, Vikki and Penny. On December 27, "Bonnie", as Yvonne was also known, gave birth to a son, a son who would make music a part of his life. They named their son Paul Matthew.

Paul grew up in South Haven, and like most boys, loved sports of all kinds. His first big "injury" was a broken jaw - from falling down his grandmother's stairs. He wrestled as a kid, played baseball and during his teen years, would go downtown with his friends to play basketball. He went to elementary school in South Haven and loved spending his summers up north at his grandmother's cabin, where he could fish as much as he wanted.

After graduating from L.C. Mohr High School in South Haven, "Flipper", as his friends called him, ventured out to Oklahoma to visit relatives. Paul spent several years in Oklahoma and while there was introduced to the sport of rugby. He then moved back to South Haven, enrolling at the Tech Center, and taking classes to learn the trade of fiber glassing. Upon completion of his classes, Paul went to work for Polynesian Pools and Spas. His good reputation soon spread throughout the area and Paul worked for S2 Yachts, G.P.M. and Conway Products.

During this same time, mutual friends at work introduced Paul to a young lady named Tina. The couple dated for a few years and Paul realized this amazing woman was his soul mate, his other half to make a whole. On March 30, 1991 Paul and Tina were married at a church in Ganges, with the reception at a hall in nearby Saugatuck. By now, Paul was very into music, and had a band of his own where he sang and played the bass guitar. The band played for the wedding and Paul even played his black guitar.

The band played everything from the classics to the latest top hits, and consisted of four guys. After Paul's heart attack, three bands got togather including Paul's and they held a benefit concert to help with the cost of the hospital bills. Paul's current band was called "Momz Attic" traveling from town to town. The thrill of playing music in Holland, at Side Tracks in Pullman and the Log Cabin.

.

Paul loved spending time with his sons. They'd go fishing for perch, and Tina remembers going out in the aluminum boat and riding down the river. The boys were involved in dirt bike races. Paul never rode, he was the supervisor, happy to watch and just hang out. His vehicle of choice was his big golf cart. It was a "souped up" model with big tires and headlight that Paul had installed.

As his sons grew older, Paul set up a homemade recording studio where they could make and record music together. When it came time for Paul to play his bass guitar, he would always put on his purple wrestling shoes - because they matched his guitar. Paul's daughters were equally as precious to him and when Nicole got married, Paul took care of all the music, set up the sound system, and as a proud father, gave his daughter away. He was so very proud of all of his children.

Tina was the love of Paul's life and he would do anything for her. If she was going to have a girls' party, he was the one who got everything ready. He'd clean, fix up the yard, whatever needed to be done to make Tina happy.

He had bought some tomato plants to grow in his back yard. Every day he would water them and check to see how they were growing. When you heard him say, "Look at those plants grow!" you knew he was proud of those tomato plants.

Paul Doffing was an easygoing guy with many friends. He was respected for the kind of man he was, and well liked by all. Paul's song has ended but the sweet melody will linger in the hearts of those who loved him.

Paul "Flipper" Doffing 44, of Holland died Wednesday July 27, 2005 at his home. He was preceded in death by his father Matthew Doffing and parent-in-laws; Ron and Barb Smith . Surviving is his wife Tina of 14 years. Children - Nicole and Mike Farmer of South Bend, IN, Kayla Doffing of South Haven, MI. Jeffery and Heather McGruder of Holland, Troy Doffing of South Haven, Erik Doffing of Holland; 1 grandson Noah; Mother; Bonnie Doffing of South Haven; Sisters: Vikki and Mike Hollis of South Haven, Penny and Rodger Pugh of South Haven, Sister-in-law: Kim and David Derrick of Scotts, MI. Grand Parents; Ken and Joyce Bailey of Fulton, MI. and several nieces, nephews, cousins. Funeral services will be Monday at 11:00 am at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave., with Pastor Dave Mackaluso officiating. Burial will be in Lakewood Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Please visit Paul's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, sign the guest book, order flowers online, or make a memorial contribution to the Doffing Family Funeral Fund. A tribue to Paul has been made on his band's web site at www.momzaattic.com