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David Balcom

May 9, 1934 - May 21, 2022
Richland, MI

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Balcom, David 5/9/1934 - 5/21/2022 Richland David Richard Balcom, age 88, of Richland passed away Saturday, May 21, 2022. David was born May 9, 1934 in Coldwater to Horace and Marjorie (Baggerly) Balcom. He attended Western Michigan University and received his Master's degree in education. He was a public schools science teacher for over 30 years, primarily in the Kalamazoo Public Schools. He coached a variety of sports, predominantly cross country and track for over 40 years. He also served in the United States Army Reserves for 35 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. David was a lifelong member of Stockbridge Avenue United Methodist Church until its closing. He then attended Gull Lake United Methodist Church. Over the years he enjoyed coaching his church's women's softball team, and playing on the men's church softball team, participating in a teacher's bowling league, but most of all, he loved spending time with his family. Dave and Marilynn attended all of their grandchildren's sporting events, recitals, and school functions. On January 28, 1956, David was united in marriage to Marilynn Buder. She survives. He is also survived by his son, Mike (Lynn) Balcom; daughters, Beth (Duane) Hampsten, Karen (Jeff) Heerlyn and Nancy (Mike) Nahikian; grandchildren, Staci (Rusty) Tobolic, Kelli (Tim) Choronzy, Molli (Greg) Bergland, Andrew Penny, Justin (Mollie) Penny, Emily Hampsten, Daniel Hampsten, Jacob Heerlyn, Grace Heerlyn, Brock (Jenny) Smalla, Reed Nahikian, and fourteen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Linda Harris. David's family will receive friends at Living Hope Community Church from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. May 31, 2022 and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. June 1, 2022. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held on June 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at the church with internment to follow at Prairie Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Gull Lake United Methodist Church or Kalamazoo Central Athletics. David's family is being assisted by Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel. Personal messages for the family and memories may be shared at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.