Gregory Alan Ackerman

A good man died May 16, 2025. The percussion of his absence is felt in each and every heartbeat of the family and friends he left behind. Gregory Alan Ackerman was born March 27, 1953, to Barbara (Imanse) and Charles Ackerman. He lived his life in the small community of Vicksburg, Michigan.

Greg had two passions in life. The first was people he loved deeply. The second was golf. In the spaces between, he built a career working with his family and he spent treasured hours in the north woods. Many of the people he counted as friends are present in his grade school class pictures. Others came into his life through the sports he loved and excelled in, and the work he did.

Greg grew up the eldest of four boys. With two athletic parents, Greg, Rodney, Brian and David had a rich childhood centered around the many sports they played. Greg lettered in four sports: football, basketball, tennis and baseball. In 1971, he was recognized as one of the top ten basketball players in the Wolverine Conference. At the age of nineteen, he discovered golf, and he was hooked.

On March 23, 1973, Greg married his high school sweetheart, Vicki Cross. Together they raised their three beautiful children, Kelly, Matthew and Jacob, to become caring adults. In 1972 he joined his father and mother in the Ackerman Oil Company. Greg spent 47 years providing home heating oil to loyal customers. From 1986-2012, Greg also owned and operated Douglas Avenue Food & Beverage, Inc. with his wife and parents. He retired in November of 2019. The seasonal nature of the oil business allowed Greg to spend countless hours on the many golf courses in the area. States Golf Club was his second home.

Proceeded in death by his mother Barbara, Greg's intelligence and sharp wit live on through his three children, Kelly (John) Christiansen, Matthew (Asmita Kulkarni) Ackerman, Jacob Ackerman and four grandchildren, Anna & Thomas Christiansen and Arya & Neel Ackerman. He is also survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Vicki, father Charles, brothers Rodney (Sandy) Ackerman, Brian (Joyce) Ackerman, and David (Tina Hinchen) Ackerman, brothers-in-law Tom (Connie Durrstein) Cross, Todd (Cindy) Cross, sister-in-law, Kim Cross, and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to States Golf Club, 20 East W Ave, Vicksburg, MI on Sunday, June 1, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm for a memorial open house.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Greg’s guestbook and/or share your favorite memory with his family. The family requests memorial donations be sent to Generous Hands, Vicksburg, MI.

The Ackerman family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 409 South Main Street, Vicksburg, MI 49097 (269) 649-1697.