Edward M. Gezon Sr.

Born to Lawrence J. and Mattie (Riekse) Gezon, Edward Martin Gezon was the second of three boys who grew up secure in the love and care of his family and community. The west side of Grand Rapids, Michigan was home to the family’s business, school and church. Lawrence owned a drug store at Alpine Avenue and Leonard Street NW, the children attended West Side Christian School, and the family were members at Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Their home at Myrtle and Tamarack NW was in a neighborhood populated by many other children who became Ed’s friends and fellow baseball and softball players.

Coming of age during the Great Depression and Second World War, Ed knew the value of sacrifice and duty. When he was subsequently drafted into the U.S. Army, he served his country in Japan during the Korean conflict. Happier times were ahead when Ed returned from war and was discharged from the Army. In particular, he met the woman who would become his wife.

Audrey and Ed met at a wedding they both attended, and soon the two were dating. Over the next year, their love and commitment grew strong, and the couple was married March 13, 1954 at Berean Baptist Church in Grand Rapids.

The newlyweds set up housekeeping in an apartment on Fremont Avenue and then Alpine Avenue before buying a home on Kenan Avenue in 1956. There they raised a family of four children: Sue was born in 1954, Edward Jr. in 1955, Rose in 1958 and Richard in 1961. Ed’s home was his castle, as he often said, and it remains the family residence to this day.

Ed enjoyed his home, perhaps because he was always on the go with his job. He worked in sales all his life, first at a lumberyard, then Roskam Bakery, Detroit City Dairy in Grand Rapids and finally Solarno Bakery, from which he retired. During the summer, the family took to the road with a tent and later a pop-up camper to many beautiful sites around Michigan. Each winter in Ed’s retirement, he and Audrey spent two weeks in Melbourne, Florida. It was good to be away but even better to come home.

Ed’s responsibilities at home included his service to his church. The Gezons were longtime members of Alpine Avenue CRC, which merged with Highland Hills CRC and now is known as Westend CRC. Ed’s faith was nurtured through his Bible reading and periodicals, which contributed to his leadership as a deacon at Westend. The conviction of his heart was made known in the work of his hands.

Being the social person that he was, Ed made a habit of meeting up with his friends at Sandy’s Donuts for coffee. He thrived on the camaraderie and the storytelling, which was his forte. His grandchildren were also recipients of Ed’s fun-loving nature, and he enjoyed every minute he had with them.

Among his recreational activities, Ed played cards (especially 31 and Cribbage), watched NASCAR and football and remained a loyal fan of the Detroit Tigers. In his retirement, driving became a recreational activity as he delivered cars between local dealerships. Wherever he went, “Big Ed” spread his happiness and joy for living. He was a faith-filled, gentle giant who cared deeply for his family and friends.

Edward passed away unexpectedly Wednesday morning at 2:41AM on July 23, 2014 at Spectrum Health–Butterworth Hospital. He was 85.

Ed was a loving husband, father, grandfather and a friend to all who knew him. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.

Mr. Edward M. Gezon, Sr., of Grand Rapids, Michigan is survived by his wife of 60 years Audrey Gezon; his children, Sue (Bob) Gerritsen, Ed (Pat) Gezon Jr., Rose (Kevin) Seagraves, Dick (Keely) Gezon; grandchildren, Melissa (Jose) Bolanos, Bob Gerritsen, Kyle Gezon, Kaitlin (Derek) Johnson, Samantha Seagraves, Jared Seagraves; great grandson, Zane Haminger; many nieces, nephews and friends. The service to celebrate Ed’s life will be held on Saturday, July 26, at 2:00 PM at Westend CRC, 1015 Westend Ave. NW. Burial in Washington Park Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet his family on Friday from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 851 Leonard St. NW, and at the church on Saturday from 1:00 PM until the service begins. Contributions in his memory may be made to West Side Christian School Foundation. To read more about Ed’s life, to sign his guest book and to leave your own memory of him, visit his web page at www.lifestorynet.com