Obituary for J. David Lather John David Lather, 83, of Traverse City, passed away Sunday, October 14, 2018 at his home in the presence of his loving family, after a battle with cancer. David was born on May 11, 1935 to John and Leona (Core) Lather in Traverse City. He graduated from Traverse City Central High School in 1953.
David continued his education at Michigan State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management in 1957. On July 6, 1957, he married the love of his life, Pauline Yvonne Brigham at Traverse City Central United Methodist Church. David began his career with Hobart Lumber Company in Hobart, Indiana, a position he held from 1957 until 1958.
It was at that time that David entered the U. S. Army, serving in Nike Hercules Guided Missile Electronics. He was discharged to the U. S. Army Reserves, finishing that enlistment in 1964. David returned to Hobart Lumber and worked there from 1960 until 1963.
While there, he and Pauline designed and built their first home. It was during this time that their two children, Brantley and Lori were born. David had a long career in the construction industry, a career influenced by his grandfather who built several, now historic buildings in Traverse City, including the first public library, the downtown post office, and Central United Methodist Church.
In 1963, David returned to Traverse City, where he and Pauline designed and built their family home, where he raised his family and lived until his passing. He accepted a position with Red Mill Lumber in downtown Traverse City. He later became the manager of Structural Systems, the truss plant division of Red Mill, a position he held until 1980.
In 1983, David accepted the position of Director of the Grand Traverse County Construction Code office. He held that position until 2000 when he retired. Coming out of retirement, he went to work for Grand Traverse Metro Fire Department as an information analyst.
As a fifth generation Traverse City native, David was very involved in the Traverse City community. He was an active member of Central United Methodist Church; was a member and past president of the Traverse City Exchange Club, past chairman and member of the Traverse City Housing Commission, past member of the Traverse City Board of Zoning Appeals, and a member of the National Ski Patrol. His involvement in Grand Traverse County organizations included Northwest Michigan Regional Planning and Development Commission, Plat Review Committee, and an Adhoc Committee for development of fire prevention program.
Statewide he was past president of the Northern Michigan Code Officials, past member of the Building Officials Advisory Board, and a past Vice Chairman of the Michigan Construction Code Commission. David enjoyed growing roses, photography, building models, electronics, house repair, skiing, cycling and roller blading. David was very proud of his family and his greatest enjoyment in life was all of the unconditional love he received from his parents, spouse, children, grandchildren and sister-in-law.
He was most happy spending time with his family. As a child. he would spend much of his time with his grandparents, David and Edna Core at their cabin on the Boardman River, picking berries, fishing, listening to bobcats and the calls of whip-poor-wills.
As an adult, David and his family loved to camp, ride bicycles, sail and snow ski. Before bike trails and helmets, the family rode their bicycles to Mackinaw City and back on local roads and major highways. As a grandparent, David spent much of his time with his 3 grandchildren.
He was able to take each of the them to Hawaii, where he showed them places he and Pauline visited over the years. David will be remembered by his family as a wonderful father, grandfather, brother in law and friend with a kind, loving soul. His caring personality and genuine interest in others extended to all he met, whether it was a long time friend or someone he just met in line at the grocery store.
David is survived by his children, J. Brantley (Michelle) Lather of Midland; Lori (Jan) Hesprich of Traverse City; his grandchildren, Henry David Lather, Conrad Arthur Lather, Sarah Margaret Lather and a sister in law, Susan (Wallace) Tuttle of Traverse City. David was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Pauline. Visitation will take place Friday, October 19, 2018 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home in Traverse City.
A service to celebrate David’s life will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018 at Central United Methodist Church, 222 N. Cass St., Traverse City with Pastor Dale Ostema officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the David and Pauline Lather Memorial Fund at Central United Methodist Church, 222 N. Cass Street, Traverse City, MI 49684 or to the Cowell Family Cancer Center, c/o Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation, 1150 Medical Campus Drive, Traverse City, MI 49684 (please write Lather memorial in the memo area of your check) Today’s Events Visitation , OCT 19.
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home 305 Sixth St Traverse City, MI, US, 49684 info@reynolds-jonkhoff.com www. reynoldsjonkhoff.com/ Upcoming Events Celebration of Life , OCT 20.
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