Patrick T. Case

KINGSLEY — Patrick Thomas "Pat" Case, 37, of Kingsley, died unexpectedly May 5, 2008.

Pat was born in Traverse City on Nov. 30, 1970, at Osteopathic Hospital, to Terry L. and Sharon S. (Newmarch) Case and had been a life resident of the area. Pat married Susan Lynette Baase on Sept. 7, 1996, in Mayfield.

Pat was employed as a press operator at Tower Automotive, yet he thoroughly enjoyed his "second" profession as an EMT and firefighter. He attended the National Fire Academy and had earned firefighter 1 and 2 levels. He also served as a fire inspector and fire investigator.

Pat served as a member of the Kingsley Volunteer Fire Dept., and he was most proud of his 15-year association with the Grand Traverse Rural Fire Department. He held the rank of Assistant Battalion Chief, and was an EMT with the Kingsley Area Ambulance for 13 years. He was also proud of his activity with 4-H, being involved there for 14 years.

Pat was a thoughtful man, would carefully select few, but wisely thought-out words and had a special skill and ability to know when someone needed help. You didn't have to ask Pat to do something. He knew it, showed up to help, and then was gone.

Pat's unique qualities included his gift for making wonderful bird houses, feeders, lawn ornaments and projects from the rocks he collected and polished.

His greatest joy in life was his grand kids, nephews and niece. He enjoyed helping Sue with her epic French Bulldogs and spending time with his hunting partner "Mom". Pat was passionate about all he did, but was most passionate about the home he built with the love of his life. He enjoyed being PaPa Tractor to his grandson, Gauge, and will always be remembered for having the gift to help anyone do anything, any time.

Pat is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter, Lyndsey Kay Beeman; his grandchildren, Gauge Russell Beeman and Grace Lyndsey Beeman; his mother and father, Sharon and Terry Case; his brother, Aaron, and his wife, Wendy Case, and their children, Brandon, Bryan and Allison; his brother, Daryl, and his wife, Renee Case, and their children, Allen, Tyler and Dylan; his grandfather, Harold Newmarch; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Mary Hency Newmarch; and his grandparents, Guy and Ella Case.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2008, at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Pastor Tim Manzer of New Hope Community Church and Pastor Glen Walters, Chaplain of the Grand Traverse Rural Fire Department, officiated. Burial followed the service in Barnum Cemetery in Mayfield.

The family asks that memorial contributions be made in Pat's name to a College Fund for Gauge and Grace or to the Kingsley Area Ambulance or Kingsley Fire Department.

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.