Dave Lathers Memorial Fund
This fundraiser was setup to aide Dave's family to help reduce some financial burden on his wife, Heather.
Dave had just finally come to the decision that his parents, John and Sharon, were going to need full time assistance once John was released from a physical rehab facility. Dave did not have the chance to move them however and Heather will now bear that responsibility as well as paying his parents bills.
Thank you so very much for contributing to what Dave cannot anymore.
David J. Lathers passed away suddenly on April 7, 2020 with his wife Heather by his side. He will be missed by the children he called his own through birth, adoption, and marriage. All called him dad: Sarah, Brendan, Caleb, Becca, Bennett, Isabel, and Garrett. An only child, David is survived by his parents, John and Sharon (Mayo) Lathers, whom he cared for loyally. Also surviving are his many Lathers cousins (originally 23 in total). David was born on March 13, 1971, in Jackson on his Grandpa Lathers’ birthday. He grew up in rural Jerome and attended Freedom Farm in Pittsford from kindergarten through graduation. He played basketball, football, saxophone, and sang competitively as a soloist and in choir. After graduation, he attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and completed his education at Moody Aviation in Tennessee.
David enjoyed raising his children Sarah, Brendan, and Caleb. He admired Sarah's focus and intelligence, Brendan's ingenuity and charisma, and Caleb's tenacity and warmth. Heather and David, married for five years upon his death, met online and then one week later in person on Easter Day, 2015. Their love was limitless and will last until their heavenly reunion. David and Heather married in Garden City on December 19, 2015, and her children considered him their father. Isabel, 7, called him her "Davidy" as he was daddy to her. She will miss his strong arms, cuddles before bed, and soft beard. He quietly encouraged Bennett, 15, on guitar, and Ben says he often sent his riffs resounding through the house just for David. Becca, 19, will miss his encouragement and warm bear hugs. His family will miss David's belly laugh, endless passion, quiet guidance, sparkling eyes and smile, and perhaps, most of all, his intentional puns.
David worked as an engineer and spent the last fifteen years as a supervisor at TRW/ZF in Livonia. His warmth was unparalleled, and, as one colleague put it, his personality was a lighthouse to all. Although work was always something he did to provide for his family, his workplace became a special space because of his friends there. He had the pleasure of working with Steve Lees, his dearest friend, along with a team of seven fine men he referred to as “his guys,” whom he spoke of with humor and fondness. Many of his colleagues kept him smiling, and he admired and appreciated them all.
For the past three years, David lived with Heather, Becca, Ben, and Isabel on ten wooded acres in Lapeer surrounded by the trees, water, and animals that made Pero Lake home. He enjoyed feeding his horses and chickens, collecting eggs (which he loved giving away at ZF), building expert campfires, shooting, stargazing, and bird watching. He enjoyed automotive work and had an amazing mechanical mind. He understood machines-- snowmobiles, cars, go-karts, motorcycles, and anything else with an engine. The Mustang was his favorite, and he dreamed of owning a 1970 Mustang Boss 429 because Heather was born on April 29, 1970. He also admired the Ford Bronco, the Royal Enfield, and the Aston Martin V12 Vantage. For David, variety intensified life’s pleasures-- sampling scotch, home-brewed coffee, and, as he would say, food with “spice” made life worth living.
Dave enjoyed variety in music as well. He dabbled in guitar and had an incredible voice. A true audiophile, he was fascinated by acoustics, had a great ear, and enjoyed collecting vinyl and stereo equipment. He also enjoyed the Wolverines and Red Wing and listening to The Drew and Mike podcast daily. Most of all, he loved the magnificence of the Upper Peninsula and visited Lake Superior as often as he could. Places closest to his heart were Rock River Resort in AuTrain and Copper Harbor. David was a lifelong Christian, with his faith in the Lord rooted in his deep communion with God’s creations. He will be severely missed, especially his spirit of authenticity, humor, and integrity. He lived a simple and pure life. He was a rare man who exhibited natural humility yet inspired others all the while.
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We have all lost greatly, because David SO greatly touched our lives. For that reason, the best thing I can end this with are David’s own words in a letter he wrote to me after my Dad died in 2001. May they comfort all who knew and loved him now as well:
“… He knows now how much you loved him in a way that you could never have expressed in English. And he is so much happier now with Jesus than he could ever have been here. For his sake, REJOICE. It is for your sake that you mourn and that too is good. Do not deny yourself the need to weep out loud; it is part of the healing process. It may happen a lot in days and weeks to come, do not despise it. It is a sign that you have heart and have not gone cold. Someday your reunion will be sweet. Thank God you have that hope! Only God can heal your heart; it is a process, and it will take time…”
Please feel free to distribute this to anyone you think may benefit.
Rejoicing for Dave,
Steve Lees