John D. Raddatz

John Dennis Raddatz, age 81, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, December 23, 2024 at the Medilodge of Frankenmuth. The son of the late John E. and Ruth (Heasley) Raddatz was born on August 26, 1943 in Alexandria, Virginia. John grew up in Bay City and graduated from T.L. Handy High School in 1961. After he graduated from Western Michigan University, John served his country in the U.S. Army, serving on the front lines in the 1st Infantry Division as an infantryman in Vietnam, where he was awarded 3 Bronze Stars for valor and 3 Purple Hearts. John continued his service with the U.S. Army Reserves, earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After a brief period of teaching in Mount Pleasant while he earned his master's degree, John joined his father in the family business, Tri-City Tool & Die, which John owned and operated until his retirement in 2010.
John will be remembered as a generous and giving man, always willing to lend a helping hand and give quietly through random acts of kindness. A true outdoorsman, he was an avid rabbit and duck hunter and loved fishing. John was known as "the commandant" of the Beaver Island Expeditionary Forces (BIEF), a group he started with his friends (and beagles), which took annual rabbit hunting trips to Michigan's beautiful Beaver Island for over 50 years. John cherished his friendships with his Vietnam comrades, hunting buddies, and friends from the weekly poker group, a multi-generational group of friends playing poker in Bay City since WWII. Not only was John known as a benevolent leader, but he will also be remembered for his hilarious storytelling, something his friends and family will dearly miss.
While stationed in Germany with the Army before being transferred to Vietnam, John met the true love of his life, Judith (Carr). They were married on September 2, 1969, and settled in Michigan, where they raised their family. John is survived by his beloved wife, Judy; their four children, Sarah (Kent) Baker of Portage, Susan (Willem) De Vriend of The Netherlands, Michael Raddatz of Bay City and Katie (Gene Duggan) Raddatz of Boston; his cherished grandchildren, William, Griffin, Mia Grace Baker and Evelijn De Vriend; his brother, Joel (Margaret) Raddatz; brothers and sisters-in-law, Patricia (Paul) Medis, Christine Carr, Francis Carr and John (Mickey) Carr; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, John was also preceded in death by his sister, Sharon Farough; a sister-in-law, Irene Carr; and a brother-in-law, Frederick Carr.
The Memorial Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 16, 2025 at Trahan Funeral Chapel with Fr. James Bessert presiding. Military Honors will be conducted by the U.S. Army and the Bay County Veterans Council. Final interment will be at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 17th. Visiting hours will be Wednesday, January 15th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. The family suggests donations in John's memory to Bay Veterans Foundation. For on-line sentiments, please go to: www.trahanfc.com