David Guthrie Ream

1961 - 2022

David Guthrie Ream passed away on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the age of 60. Dave was born in 1961 in Lansing to Roberta Lynne Greene (née Albrecht) and Charles David Ream.
Dave graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in 1979 and attended classes at Kalamazoo Community College before he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served from 1981-1985, first on the USS Forrestal, and then on the USS Saratoga as an Avionics Technician for the VF-74 Be-Devilers.
During his time on active duty he attained the rank of Third Class Petty Officer. Through his deployments he was described by his commanding officer as "an exceptionally talented and professional first rate technician," and was labeled a highly valuable asset to the United States Navy. He earned two sea service deployment ribbons and the Navy expeditionary medal. Dave was honorably discharged in 1985 and transferred to the U.S. Naval Reserves until he was fully discharged in 1987.
After his service, Dave studied avionics at Lansing Community College. He held a few different positions within different companies in the Kalamazoo area, including Kal Aero. After college, Dave worked for Marshall Gas Controls in Texas, before moving back to the Kalamazoo area in 1990. In 1995 he and his then wife, Jeanine Ream (née Burnham), moved to Oscoda in 1995, where they started their family. While in Oscoda, Dave worked for Kalitta Air as an avionics electrical technician.
In 2010, Dave moved to Grand Rapids and was an active part of the Mel Trotter Ministries community. He also worked for The Rapid and Master Finish. He had many friends in that area who all thought highly of him, and are deeply saddened by his passing.
Dave is survived by his sons, Noah Kirklin, 25, and Jovian Kane, 22; his sister, Sarah (Ethan) Franzel (neé Ream); two nieces; and his beloved maternal Aunt Stephanie Sundholm; as well as cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his mother and his father.
Dave loved spending time with his family on the beach during the summers, often taking the floating raft far out into Lake Michigan. During his youth (and for a fair few years afterwards), he could always be counted on for hilarious mayhem. Dave enjoyed watching all of the James Bond and Star Wars movies in order, and could effortlessly quote anything from any of the different Star Trek series, though Star Trek: The Next Generation was his favorite of all of them.
He was always inspired by scenic views no matter where he was, and was most captivated by the beautiful colors and cloud formations of the sky and the stars that lie beyond. His entire family and especially his sons, will miss him tremendously. A kind, goofy, generous man who was taken too soon, "May you have fair winds and following seas on your next journey, sailor."