Curtis Cable

When reflecting on the life of Curtis Cable, the recurring melody throughout his life’s song is his endless heart. Whether it was his love for his family, his friends, or the young people he coached to greatness on the ball field and in life, it was a gift he freely gave to countless others. As a coach Curtis taught us that coaching is so much more than teaching fundamentals and organizing the plays, but that being a coach is truly a matter of the heart. A more devoted family man would be hard to find and although he loved being a father, he just may have argued that becoming a grandfather was the very best part. Curt’s legacy of integrity, honor, and compassion will live on in the lives of those who follow him.

Curtis George Cable was born on May 10, 1931, to Curtis William and Julia (Jenkins) Cable, and was raised in Wyoming alongside his sisters, Elizabeth and Georgia, and his brothers, Patrick and Lewis. Since he was named after his father, his family always called him Junior, to others he was Curt.

In many ways, Curt experienced a childhood that was rather typical for his generation. His father worked at General Motors while his mother owned and operated a local restaurant. He attended local schools including Wyoming Rogers High School through his tenth grade year, but transferred to South High as they recruited him to play football for their school. Curt left school before completing his formal education when he enlisted in the Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He honorably served as a tail gunner.

With his duty to his country fulfilled, Curt returned to his hometown where he went to work for General Motors. He soon found that his work there was not a good fit, so he started driving for a traveling salesman who sold products to motels. Curt not only drove him where he needed to go, but he also helped him deliver the products as the man could not walk very well.

Life was forever changed for Curt when he met the young woman with whom he would share a lifetime of love. Her name was Phyllis VanKampen and they met in 1957 when Curt was visiting a friend, whose sister was a nursing student along with Phyllis. The group started playing cards together, and it wasn’t long before Curt and Phyllis began dating. Deeply in love, they were married on May 15, 1959, in Holland.

Together Curt and Phyllis were blessed with four children: Barbara, Judy, Curtis, and Phillip. In order to support his family Curt worked hard in a few different industries. He began driving as a chauffer and then moved on to a lumber company and Consumers Power before settling in as a cement truck driver for Rock’s Redi-Mix. He eventually drove for Blauw Redi-Mix where he remained for the rest of his driving career, retiring only when his health issues required in 1989.

Although work was certainly a necessary part of Curt’s life, he also made plenty of time for his family. They camped all over the United States every summer, making it a point to see many, many of the most famous landmarks throughout the country. Through the years Curt and Phyllis visited all 50 states, collecting rocks from every state that now adorn their yard. His children always looked forward to what they called “table time” after football games when Curt pointed out areas in which they could improve, and areas they excelled. He was incredibly protective of his girls once they began dating, and their suitors always knew exactly what was expected of them.

In addition to his family, Curt made a huge impact in the lives of many young people in his community as a coach. For many years he coached junior league baseball at Pinery Park. Curt was a successful coach, as he took a couple of teams to the Big League World Series. He was loved and respected by his players - so much so that one of his former players even visited him out of the blue the day before he died to tell him what an impact his coaching had made in his life. Curt always had an open door policy for the kids he coached as they were welcome to visit, enjoy a meal, or get advice. Many of his players thought of him as a second father.

There were so many additional things Curt loved throughout his life. He went out West hunting for elk and antelope, and on one occasion he even took his son, Curt, away from his studies in college for a hunting trip to Colorado before his son’s upcoming graduation left him unable to get away. Curt also went deer hunting up North and did a lot of fishing, too. He played on several championship fast-pitch softball teams all over Michigan every weekend during the summer. As an avid fan of University of Michigan football, Curt was a season ticket holder. He organized a fantasy basketball league of area high school players with his brothers and their children in which they would pick their favorites at the beginning of the season, follow them through the season, then together they would attend the finals in the spring. When his family grew to include grandchildren, they quickly became Curt’s life as he rarely missed any event in which they participated. He seized every opportunity to encourage his grandchildren.

In whatever he was doing, Curtis Cable wholeheartedly applied himself to whatever task was at hand. His love for those around him was extraordinary, and the impact he made in the lives of countless others around him was extraordinary. Curt will be deeply missed.

Curtis will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Phyllis; his children Barbara (Kirk) Doane of Hudsonville, Judy (Bryon) McLaughlin of Lee’s Summit, MO, Curtis (Laura) Cable of Hudsonville and Phillip Cable of Castro Valley, CA; his grandchildren Keri (Nick) Snyder, Katie (Steve) Pearce, Matthew Doane, Brianna Shephardson-McLaughlin, McKenzie McLaughlin, Bryon McLaughlin, Andrew McLaughlin, Bryan Cable, Stacey Cable, Brandon Cable and Spencer Cable; his great grandson Jack Snyder and his brothers and sisters Elizabeth (Robert) Sanford and Patrick (Linda) McDonald all of Sparta and Lewis (Karen) McDonald and Georgia (Mark) Sommerfeldt, all of Walhalla.

Funeral services for Curtis will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 16, 2011 at Hurst Funeral Home in Greenville with Rev. Tim DeShaw officiating. A time of visitation will be held on Thursday at Hurst Funeral Home from 2 to 4 pm and from 7 to 9 pm. Memorial contributions may be designated to the World Evangelism Fund. Please visit www.hurstfuneralhome.com to leave a message of condolence for his family.