Dan Babcock

Dan J. Babcock, age 69, of Bay Harbor and Ocean Reef, passed away due to heart complications on March 25, 2022, at the Cleveland Cardiology Clinic in Weston, Florida. Dan was born January 27, 1953, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to parents, Vernon and Donna Babcock, at Mercy Health Hospital, where his lifelong friend, Monte, was also born on the same day. A dedicated worker and driven to succeed, his first job was washing cars at Tiny’s Auto Wash in order to have spending money. With six children in the family, he also found innovative ways to provide sodas for his brothers and sisters by collecting bottle caps and turning them in for soda “prizes”. After graduating from Grand Valley State University, Dan married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, in 1975. They started Work Safe Supply Company, a traffic control and safety products business in 1979. After years of building relationships and growing the company, Dan sold Work Safe to a nationally owned company and continued to grow, learn and buy businesses to consolidate the industry. After a non-compete agreement, Dan and his partners bought his original company back, which was then re-named: Give Em A Brake Safety. Dan stepped away from day-to-day management of GEBS in order to help others achieve their business dreams by providing capital support, knowledge and passion. Although Dan worked in traffic control and ensuring the safety of not only his workers, but of the traveling public his entire life, his true loves were his family. Dan always took his role as the big brother of the six children in his family to heart. There was nothing he would not do to help his siblings or someone he cared about. While Dan and Kathy did not reach their golden wedding anniversary, they were married 46 years. They welcomed home their first child, Rocky, in 1988, and their daughter, Lexxy, in 1990. Dan was a devoted husband and father, who always made sure everyone was taken care of. He is survived by his wife, Kathy Babcock; children, Rocky (Courtney) Babcock, Lexxy Babcock; and his three grandchildren, Norah, Augustus and Enzo. The family would like to thank Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home of Grandville, Michigan, for their kindness and also family and friends who have been so helpful. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, April 1, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 2700 Baldwin St., Jenison, with Fr. Colin J. Mulhall presiding. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville), 4145 Chicago Drive. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the MITA Scholarship Fund on Dan’s behalf. All checks should be made out to MITA Inc. and sent to PO Box 1640, Okemos, MI 48805 or please visit thinkmita.org.