David Lynn Posey of Big Rapids and Reed City, joined his Lord and Savior on December 3rd, 2025 at the age of 87.  He was born on August 5th, 1938 in South Lyon, MI to Lynn and Murial (Guilfoyle) Posey.  At a young age, the family moved to Romeo Michigan where Dave graduated in 1956 from Romeo High School.

In his youth he enjoyed hanging out with friends and playing tennis. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing with his father and younger brother Douglas.  He attended Ferris Institute and Central Michigan where he earned his BA in Social work. He was a member of Alpha Phi Omega. He later attended Wayne State University to earn his teaching degree in 1962.

In June of 1962 he married Carol J. Clarady of Evart.  They spent the next 8 years, living and teaching in the metro Detroit area where they were close to David's parents and brother. David was a member of the Motor City Camera club where he networked and learned to hone his photography skills.  

He first taught upper elementary in Madison Heights and Warren before moving to Reed City in 1973 where he taught at St. Philips and Norman Elementary. 

During his years as a classroom teacher he enjoyed making learning fun, caring for his students and always joking around with them.  His students enjoyed building and shooting off rockets, playing spelling baseball, weekly NFL betting sheets with the winner earning candy bars, putting a little aftershave on during class, or working on craft projects. He was always eager to enjoy a good Halloween party where he could join the kids in dressing up in his favorite Halloween costumes. He always enjoyed teaching a good math lesson to kids but his students, later in life, would tell you that the life lessons they learned were as important as his math lessons.

Together they raised their 2 boys in Reed City where he was a member of the United Methodist Church. He enjoyed watching his boys play sports and formed great relationships with the players and their families on their sons' teams. He liked playing catch with his sons and teaching them how to garden, hunt, fish and golf. 

In the 80’s and early 90’s they hosted 4 exchange students from Finland, Norway, Spain and the Philippines. Timo, from Finland, even returned to attend Northwood.

In the summer, the family would travel around the US, visiting the National Parks.  He would take lots of family and nature pictures during this time. Summer travels expanded to Europe to visit former Exchange Students, Timo and Trine. David and Carol were also camp directors for a few years at Rose Lake Youth Camp.

Around this time he figured if he continued to take lots of pictures, he should go into business as a wedding and portrait photographer.  He photographed over 100 weddings, always enjoying interacting with the bride and groom and capturing those special moments for them as well as taking family pictures of his nieces and nephews.

After retiring in 1993 from teaching and needing something to occupy him in retirement, he planned and oversaw the building of his dream log house at Swiss Alpine, north of Reed City. While there, he fished, cut wood, enjoyed the views of the lake, built a wooden river boat and a wooden flat bottom fishing boat. It was the perfect place to welcome their 2 granddaughters. Lauren and Kate would play dressup, listen to stories and do puzzles next to the woodstove, go swimming, play with playdough, and enjoy time with grandpa.

In 1996 Dave and Carol decided it would be fun to gather friends and neighbors to a pig roast at the log cabin for a day of conversation, food and fun.  In the ensuing 15 years, they continued to have pig roasts where many friends enjoyed each other's company.  

As Dave and Carol aged, the winter weather told them to spend some time in Florida.  They found a community they enjoyed where they were close to family. They would go to the beach with friends, play golf, ride bikes, swim, have dinners and play cards at the clubhouse. Dave also volunteered at PGA golf tournaments. He learned to shuffleboard and play Bocce and soon became the person to set up schedules and tournaments for both.  Those friends and times were always special to them.  

David (aka “Tom Cruise”) enjoyed his late traveling to his granddaughters golf tournaments, watching lots of Netflix and Hallmark movies, walleye fishing with Brian, gardening, lawnmowing, and going on small vacations with Carol.  He would always enjoy his evenings sitting in his favorite lazy boy outside his garage watching the wildlife and waiting for his next Amazon package.

David is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol. Two sons Brian of Williamston and Mark (Amy) of Big Rapids.  Two granddaughters, Lauren and Kate Posey of Big Rapids.  One brother Douglas (Vicki) of Romeo MI and many nieces and nephews and cousins.   

A celebration of David’s life will be held at the UMC of Reed City.  Visitation will be from 4-6pm on Saturday, December 13th and Sunday, December 14th from 2-3pm. A Celebration of Life will follow on Sunday at 3:00pm, a light luncheon thereafter.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested for The UMC of Reed City-Kidz Klub or the Traverse City Junior Golf Association(TCJGA) for a scholarship fund for young golfers.  (TCJGA 5550 Bay Meadows Dr A, Traverse City, MI 49684) -online link for TCJGA (https://www.tcjga.com/give/donate.html).