Our dear friend Mo—Michael TerMolen—and his family are living through the unimaginable after the sudden loss of his 22-year-old son, Keegan J. Thomas TerMolen, on September 20.

Keegan packed an extraordinary amount of living, loving, music, and adventure into his 22 years.

He was a musician and songwriter, a gearhead, an adventurer, a son, brother, grandson, cousin, and friend—and, most importantly, the incredibly proud daddy of his infant daughter, Oakley Anne.

Music was woven throughout Keegan’s life. He played trombone in the Grand Haven High School marching, concert, and jazz bands, but one instrument was never going to be enough for Keegan. He also learned guitar, piano, saxophone, banjo, French horn, and percussion. He wrote his own music, performed original songs with The Keegan J Collective, played at Grand Haven’s Walk the Beat and Holland’s Park Theatre Open Mic, and could even be found busking on the streets of Grand Haven.

But perhaps Keegan’s greatest gift had nothing to do with an instrument. It was his ability to make people feel like they belonged.

His family stretched far beyond blood—The Fellas, his musician family, his gearhead family, his Harvest Church family, his Crown Motors family, and so many others whose lives crossed paths with his. Keegan was known for his giant, long-lasting hugs and for making the person in front of him feel like the most important person in the world.

And then there was Oakley Anne.

Becoming her daddy was Keegan’s greatest joy. Mo described him simply as “the greatest Daddy to his beautiful daughter, Oakley Anne. She was his biggest fan.”

In announcing Keegan’s passing, Mo shared these words:

“His spirit was so bright, and our worlds are forever changed. Keegan’s light spread so far, it simply couldn’t be contained.”

And he left all of us with this reminder:

“Hug your people. Always say goodbyes with I love you. And if things ever feel just too tough, find someone in that moment you can lean on. We are all just walking each other home.”

Now it is our turn to walk alongside Mo, Kari, Oakley Anne, Haley, family and all those who loved him.

We are asking this community—friends, fellow musicians, coworkers, church family, gearheads, neighbors, and the countless people whose lives intersected with Keegan’s—to surround this family with the same kind of love Keegan so freely gave to others.

In lieu of flowers, the family hopes to carry Keegan’s memory forward in two very special ways: creating a lasting memorial at East End Park, a place filled with childhood memories for Keegan, and establishing an education fund for his daughter, Oakley Anne, carrying his love for her into her future.

Donations may be made through this GoFundMe.

For those who would rather give directly, donations may also be dropped off locally at The Unicorn Tavern or Guitar Haven, or mailed directly to:

Michael TerMolen

1343 Franklin Ave.

Grand Haven, MI 49417

Every donation, no matter the amount, is a way of wrapping our arms around this family and helping create something lasting from a life that touched so many.

Celebrating Keegan

A Celebration of Keegan’s Life will be held on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 p.m.

Dragon & Mermaid Backyard at The Unicorn Tavern

415 Beechtree Street

Grand Haven, Michigan.

A short remembrance ceremony will be held at 6:00 p.m.

This will be a time for fellowship, prayers, hugs, sharing space, stories, music, and jam sessions. Bring your bag chairs, your instruments, your Keegs stories, and anything that feels aligned with you.

Keegan’s own words, from his song Half Way to Vegas, seem a fitting way to carry him with us:

“Magic and dragons could never prepare me for adventures we'd go on,

the ones where I'd march next to you, and now we are wind.”

For Keegan. For Oakley. And for the family and community who will carry his music, his stories, his giant hugs, and his love forward.

We are all just walking each other home.