Thomas Dempsey

Thomas Dempsey, age 55, Kent County Corporate Counsel, passed away on Thursday, August 24, 2017, after a short but fierce battle with cancer.  A good man taken too soon.  Thomas was a charismatic, loyal and loving father and friend.  He was known for his quick wit and “dad” humor.  He was always friendly, open and welcoming to everyone he met.  Tom sought the small joys in life, making new friends, cultivating a taste for good food and finding great deals on dry red wine.  He loved the water, as seen in his days as a competitive swimmer in high school to his summer weekends sailing on Lake Michigan with his wife and son.  When he wasn’t on his boat or socializing with friends and family, Tom could often be found in a quiet corner, deep into the pages of a new sci-fi/fantasy novel.  Tom graduated from St. Ignatius College Prep in 1980, attended the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne, culminating his education at Loyola School of Law.  Before his time as an attorney for Kent County, Tom served as the city manager of Portland, MI and prior to that, as a village manager of Sparta, MI.  He also previously worked as an attorney in Grand Rapids and in Oak Park, IL.  When it comes to achievements and success, Tom was always the proudest of his family.  He found his soul mate in 1988, they married and he dedicated the rest of his life to loving her and raising their three children together.  Tom is survived by his wife Karen; children, Travis Dempsey, Christine (Ronald) Kemker, James Dempsey; grandchild, Channing Dempsey; parents, James and Julia Dempsey; siblings, Laura (Tim) Gens, Leonora Dempsey, Terrance (Anne) Dempsey.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am Thursday, August 31 at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3937 Wilson Ave. SW, Grandville, with Fr. Chris Rouech Celebrant.  Interment Georgetown Township Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family 2-4 and 6-8 pm Wednesday, August 30, 2017 at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville), 4145 Chicago Drive SW and on Thursday from 10-10:45 am at church prior to the service.  A prayer vigil will be held at 8 pm Wednesday following the visitation at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Freedom Farm Therapeutic Riding Center.