John Date III

1951 - 2020

John Date III
John Leonard Date III lived a life filled with his love of family and friends and deep faith. He grew up in Midland where he and Debra raised and homeschooled their children in the much-loved "Date house," that he himself had grown up in.
He was an adventurous man, traveling with his family to Europe, Mexico, Africa, and Greece. He learned to fly airplanes and flew his family around the United States and Ontario. Other adventures included scuba diving, water polo, Tae Kwon Do (attaining a black belt), skating, sailing, and skiing. He loved good food (his wife and children are all excellent cooks), fine wine, and feisty conversations about politics and history.
He had many intellectual interests including studying the bible and world history. He loved to exercise his mind. He played chess expertly since he was a youth, was an avid reader and collected many books for the family's home library.
John and his wife Debra, both engineers, were entrepreneurs and not afraid to take chances. They founded an engineering company, partnered with The Institute for Affordable Transportation, and designed and built basic utility vehicles (BUVs) to be used in countries with little infrastructure and difficult terrain. Later John and Debra became successful Specialized Lubrication Representatives for Schaeffer Oil Mfg. John was active in this business throughout his illness.
John went home to heaven on December 15, 2020 with his wife and sister, Carol, by his side. He was born in Sarnia, ON Canada on Sept. 1, 1951, son of John and Veronica Date. John's appreciation for God's faithfulness, boundless love through Christ, and amazing grace grew ever deeper during his struggle with cancer. Until the very day of his passing he increasingly lived by that grace – developing a heart for interceding, sharing and praying that others might know and enjoy the grace of God as well.
John is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Debra Date; daughters: Monica Date, Shelby Date; son, John Date IV (Kaitlin Thorne Date); father, John Date ll; siblings: Ann Date (Thomas Olson), Carol McPherson (Mark McPherson), James Date (Jerri Boman). He is also survived by sisters-in-law: Dora Date, Hattie Lavergne (Martin Lavergne), Roxanne Clark (Irvin Clark), Yvonne Gallo (Larry Gallo), Yvette Henderson; brothers-in-law: August Simien Jr. (Diedre Simien), Ronald Simien, Jerry Simien; and many loving nieces, nephews, aunts, and an uncle.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Veronica Date; his brother, Craig Date; mother and father-in-law: Geneva Simien and August Simien; sisters-in-law: Billye Simien Green, Brenda Simien Pruitt.
There will be a private memorial on Dec. 26, 2020 at Midland Evangelical Free Church in Midland, MI. A celebration of John's life and home going will be planned in 2021 when gathering restrictions are lifted. In lieu of flowers/gifts, donations can be sent to Cancer Services of Midland 400 Ashman St # 200 Midland MI 48642 / cancerservicesmidland.org or the Institute for Affordable Transportation / https://drivebuv.org/donate/