David’s Obituary David William Smallidge, Jr. was born in Genesee, MI, on October 5, 1935, the firstborn son of Kathleen Burgess Smallidge and David William Smallidge, Sr. As a young boy growing up on his family’s farm, David developed a love of fishing, trapping and a mighty green thumb. His love of gardening followed him into adulthood and he earned a reputation for his delicious tomatoes, sweet corn and a host of other garden veggies. Hot peppers, however, were his claim to fame which, when canned and pickled, were legendary for playing a leading role in practical jokes involving mealtimes. If David served you a slice of pizza or a sandwich, beware! You were wise to check between the layers if you weren’t a fan of “the heat”. Another one of David’s chores as a lad was to round up grazing cattle from the pastureland. He developed a highly effective “cow call” which he would execute “until the cows came home,” a talent that never ceased to delight his grandchildren and earned him the affectionate title of “Grandpa Moo”. Rarely would he pass a field of grazing cattle without pulling over and stopping the car, his passengers piling out to join him by the side of the road as he “mooed”. On occasion, his onlookers would end up falling over one another, racing to get back to the car as the entire herd of cattle stampeded toward him standing there just outside the fence! David graduated from Otisville High School, where he excelled as a young athlete in track and field, baseball and football. With contributions in hurdle, relay, and shot put events, David helped lead a team of Otisville High athletes to the 1951 Class D Track and Field State Championship. Years later, the illustrious team enjoyed a parade and celebration, hosted by the town of Otisville, commemorating the induction of the former state championship team into the MHSAA Hall of Fame. David’s love of sports and the great outdoors was passed on to his children and shared with many friends and relatives. He could be found coaching kids on their free throw form in the driveway of the Connecticut Street residence, serving as the assistant track coach at Atherton High School, and fishing locally, on the Pacific or Atlantic, or in the wilds of the Canadian wilderness. Upon graduating from high school, David began his formal craftsman’s training as a mason’s apprentice. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, he earned his license as a stonemason. He worked on many a local building project; many family members and friends have a fireplace, patio, or “addition” featuring his fine masonry craft. David also worked for several years as a Plant Manager for General Motors in Flint, before leaving the automotive industry to start his own business, which he christened Wonderland Mason Construction. A union man, David was an active member of the Flint Local 432; Manager Joel Rash of #432 said of David, “He was kind and insightful with a sharp wit and a giant heart. His strong hands could lay brick and block from sunup to sunset, but were delicate enough to create intricate sculpture. He was a blue collar guy with a tremendous work ethic, unassuming and utilitarian, kind of like he was. He will be missed, but reminders of his time on Earth will be with us for a long, long time.” David’s skills as a stonemason reflected a distinctive artistic perspective; he was co-designer and builder of the familiar stone entryway to the College Cultural Neighborhood Association. He also constructed the brick base and frame of the iconic Flint Farmers Market mosaic. Vice President of the College Cultural Neighborhood Association, Sherry Hayden, reflected on working with David: “He worked with sketches I provided and improved the design not only from an engineering standpoint, but with the eye of a fine artist”. David’s skills and talent extended to his volunteerism, where he and his wife dedicated their time and talents to numerous Habitat for Humanity building projects. David married Bernice Koester Smallidge on June 1, 1957; the young couple settled on Connecticut Street in Flint (now Burton), in one of the original houses on the block. Here they lovingly raised four children and hosted countless backyard barbecues, and gatherings, some planned, many spontaneous. David reveled in the camaraderie he shared with his clan. Frequently found gathered around a roaring campfire were musicians, artists, neighbors, family and friends sharing music, songs, stories, jokes and generally making merry, often into the wee hours of the morning. David loved a good party and what started out as a milestone birthday potluck gathering one October evening evolved into an annual event! David and Bernice participated together in numerous peace movements and other community works and improvement projects. Both were active in community outreach through their home church, Our Risen Lord, and participated in a host of other interfaith peace building programs and efforts focused on relieving the plight of the homeless and hungry in the Flint area. David’s friend of 31 years, Richard Mach, observed his political activism first hand: “He was not afraid to fully express deeply held convictions about the ever changing state of democracy in America and he lived out-loud those beliefs. With others of similar bent, he spent many days, summer and winter, on various street corners protesting American government policies.” On a whim one holiday season, Bernice presented David with a gift certificate for a pottery class at Mott Community College as a Christmas gift. The reluctant potter at first resisted; “Bah Humbug! ‘Art’ is a guy’s name!” With his wife’s encouragement, David eventually set foot in Pottery 101 at Mott Community College; his life henceforth would be forever changed. His theretofore undiscovered talent as a fine artist quickly evolved as he created remarkable, hand built, uniquely hand painted pieces. Those who are familiar with David’s creations know he had a strong penchant for working with English Porcelain and black and white motifs. David and Bernice were avid supporters of community arts efforts and supporting members of the Buckham Gallery from it’s inception; David served on the Buckham board for many years. Following Bernice’s death in early 2015, family members, working in cooperation with the Buckham administration, established The Smallidge Fund for the Arts Lecture Series, now an annual event at the gallery. David and Bernice were truly blessed with a community of family and friends who shared their lives along the way. For more about David’s life and work, please visit the following website: eastvillagemagazine.org In honor of David’s memory and life, and in lieu of flowers, donations will support the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Fund: Checks made payable to “University of Michigan” may be sent to one of the following addresses: Medical Development 1000 Oakbrook Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104 Michigan Medicine Office of Development 1000 Oakbrook Suite 100 Ann Arbor, MI 48104-6815 Donors may also call the offices directly at (734)764-6777 or visit the website to make a gift: victors.us/davidwilliamsmallidgejr Donations may also be made to Buckham Gallery Smallidge Fund for the Arts Lecture Series by contacting manager@buckhamgallery.org for additional giving information. David is survived by his younger brothers, Darwin Smallidge of Barryton, Michigan; Douglas Smallidge and Sister-in-law, Melanie Smallidge of Birch Run, Michigan. Sister-in-Law, Virginia Rinkel and her husband, Robert Rinkel of Lansing, Michigan. David will be greatly missed by his four children and their families: Daughter, Wendy Lynn (Smallidge) Littleton-Kozma and Son-in-Law, Robert Littleton of Centerville, MA and Coronado, CA; Son, David Scott Smallidge and Daughter-in-Law, Cindy Smallidge of Peyton, Colorado; Son, Bernard William Smallidge and Daughter-in-Law, Natalia Smallidge of Burton, Michigan; Son, Joseph Martin Smallidge of Winder, Georgia. “Grandpa Moo” will be dearly missed by his nine beloved grandchildren and two adoring great grandchildren: Granddaughter, Nicole Janelle (Kozma) Rangel, her husband, Romulo Rangel and Great-Grandson, Noah Caelus Rangel of Lake Elsinore, California; Granddaughter, Brooke Hiyland Littleton of Charlestown, Massachusetts; Granddaughter, Elena Kathleen Kozma of Los Angeles, California; Grandson, Nathanial Alexander Kozma of Oakland, California; Granddaughter, Lauren Ashley Smallidge of Hughson, California and Great-Granddaughter, Zoey Sinclair Calhoun; Granddaughter, Megan Koester Smallidge of Hayward, California; Granddaughter, Masha Karniyenka Harris and her husband, Andrew David Harris of Grand Blanc, Michigan; Grandson, Jeremiah Joseph Smallidge of Burton, Michigan; Granddaughter, Sarah Sophie Smallidge of Burton, Michigan. A Memorial Service will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, April 27, 2019 at Our Risen Lord Lutheran Church, 4040 Lapeer Rd., Burton, MI 48509. Please share your thoughts with the family at www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com. Read More
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of David William Smallidge Jr October 05 1935 February 27 2019.
Death notice for the town of: Union Springs, state: Alabama