Thomas R. Popma

Thomas R. Popma, age 55, of Newaygo, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 15, 2015 doing what he loved to do. He loved spending time with family, friends, riding motorcycles, boating, kayaking, hunting and as we all know…Facebook. As a driver for UPS, he very much enjoyed his work and the friends he made there. He will be dearly missed by his life partner, Mary Schneider; his children and grandchildren, Denisha Popma (Kyra Postma), Chasity Popma-Miles (Brian and Kyleigh Miles, Dathan Scherer), Jake Schneider, Elizabeth Schneider; sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews, Carol Rinard (Shawn), Linda and Dave Campbell (Bryan, Laura), Ed Popma, Ernest Rhodes (Samantha, Ashleigh). He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlene Rhodes, Edward Popma; nephew, Patrick Rinard; and a great grand puppy, Sprocket. A memorial service will be held on Friday 1 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 6-8 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW and on Friday from 12-1 pm at the funeral home prior to the service. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the needs of the family.

Leave Your Tribute Message

August 24, 2015

I met Tom in the late 90's as he was a neighbor of the Plumb's. There was never a nicer guy. My wishes to Mary and all their families that they may find Peace along with this sadness.

- Kitty Kole

August 18, 2015

Rest in peace, Tom. Love you Chasity. Thinking about you and your family.

- Juice and Brownie

August 18, 2015

Rest In Peace

- Charlotte Russell

August 18, 2015

Tom is The Man. If we want to emulate someone's personality to better ourselves, Toms actions would be the ones to follow. Ride on Friend, Ride on

- Dennis Galloup

August 18, 2015

tom you will be missed by all prayers go out to your family we have know a long time. love you all. jim

- jim carr

August 18, 2015

Prayers to the family,

- Sally Dulisse

August 18, 2015

I worked with Tom for years and have known him through motorcycling for many years also. He will be missed by all. Our condolences and prayers to all of you. Rich and Amanda Jennings

- Rich Jennings

August 18, 2015

Chasity, so sorry for your loss. You friends from Two Wheeled Addiction Facebook riding page have been praying for you and your family. May God bless you and your family. Prayers, From Two Wheeled Addiction Facebook page, Julie Paxson

- Julie Paxson

August 18, 2015

REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND. WE WERE ONLY FRIENDS ON FB, BUT I GOT TO KNOW U THROUGHT PICTURES AND BLOGS. REST IN THE ARMS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.

- JANICE ROCKWELL-LASTOCZY

August 17, 2015

Tom's smile, booming voice and infectious smile will never be forgotten. I am lucky to have gotten to know him through time spent with Denisha and Chasity. My heart is so heavy knowing he is no longer with us, but yet happy knowing he died doing what he loved. Peace be with you Tom. Prayers for comfort and peace with Denisha, Chasity, Mary and the rest of the family.

- Corrie

August 17, 2015

I have known Tom for about fifteen year's and in all that time I have never seen him without a smile on his face. The world need's more like him. Our heart's and prayer's go out to you all. he will be sadly missed for year's to come. Love Jeanne and Doug <3

- Jeanne and Doug Dunham

August 17, 2015

I have known Tom for about fifteen year's and in all that time I have never seen him without a smile on his face. He was a special man the kind the world need's more of. Our heart's and prayer's go out to you all. From the bottom of our's, Love Doug and Jeanne <3

- Jeanne and Doug Dunham

August 17, 2015

Tom had such a contagious smile and a heart that went out to everyone he knew. His family will carry all this with them and be proud. My heart goes out to Denisha, Chasity, Mary and family and friends. Rest in Peace Tom

- Mark Bellinger and Deb Ulanch

August 17, 2015

Tom will be greatly missed by many. That's because Tom was a great guy. The more I got to know Tom, the better I liked him. It got to a point where Tom became one of my most trusted friends. I trusted and respected him and felt comfortable talking about things deeper than just everyday life. He obviously trusted me too because he shared things he didn't talk about to everyone. I was very blessed to get to know Tom on a personal level and even more blessed to be able to call him a true friend. My heart felt sympathy goes out to all his family, friends and loved ones. It hurts deep when one of the best proceeds us and Tom was truly one of the best! Luv and miss ya bro. When I hear the sound of thunder in the clouds, I'll be thinking of you riding in the kingdom of heaven! Until we ride again... rest in peace my friend.

- Bryan Peterson

August 17, 2015

In the time I've known Tom, he was always one of the greatest person that one could ever know. He will be dearly missed.

- Brandon Johnson "Rooster"

August 17, 2015

My thoughts and well wishes go out to all family abd friends affected by this tragic loss. All my love to each and every one of you.

- Misty Rebec

August 17, 2015

Tom always had the most positive outlook on life and the most infectious smile and laugh.....I will never forget the awesome times spent laughing with him...he was one of those people that if there were more people like him the world would be a much better place.

- Nicole

August 17, 2015

Uncle Tom, I don't even know where to begin. I will miss our daily Face booking, your sense of humor, kind words, support, smile and that contagious laugh. You have surely impacted so many lives! Thank you for loving Aunt Mary like you do, giving her that sparkle in her eyes and smile when she looked at you. You are missed and loved Jen Roesly

- Jen Roesly

August 17, 2015

We send our most heartfelt sympathies to Denisha, Chasity, Mary, and all of Tom's family. He was an amazing person and we will always think fondly of him. Please let us know if we may help in any way. Love to you all!

- Dena & Cory Anderson

August 17, 2015

I met Tom a few years ago soon after the passing of my own Dad ! He sent me a private message encouraging me to be happy and live in my Dad's honor and make him proud! He always liked the pictures of my kids and grandson and I loved seeing his posts and pics of all the bike trips he took, especially the ones with his daughters! His postivie attitude and good nature had a way of rubbing off! May you ride on in the Heavens and Soar with Angels with Eagle Wings!!!! My thoughts and prayers to his many friends and his family(especially his daughters) . I did not know him very long or very personal , but i was grateful for getting to know him in the short time that I did! Rest In Peace Tom

- Kim

August 17, 2015

I am so sad that Tom is gone. He was always so upbeat and had that amazing smile. My thoughts and prayers go out to Denisha and the family as they grieve the loss of their loving father. I hope he is riding in heaven.

- Carrie Bradstreet

August 17, 2015

Tom and I worked at 3 different trucking companies together. He was always so nice and we had enjoyable conversations. He kept up with my life on FB after jobs separated us. I remember meeting him at Consolidated Freightways. ..the biker with long hair and a kind soul. I said to myself when I learned of this...."Its true, the good do die young"... R.I.P. my friend....ride with the angels in heaven. Sincere sympathy to his family and friends. Peace out my friend~♡~

- Patty Campbell

August 17, 2015

Tom treated me and my girls like one of his own; he was family to me. His kindness and sincere love to his friends and family made him a man worth knowing. His beaming smile and bear like hugs will forever be missed. Tom stood taller than life to me, but he never looked down at any one.He made each and everyone of us feel important and special to him. I was truly blessed to know and love you Tom. my deepest sympathy and love to his family in this time of loss

- jessica bellinger and family

August 17, 2015

I miss Tom--He was a kind and gentle soul. My deepest sympathy to his loved ones.

- Terri