Fred Carl Schouw Jr.

Fred Carl Schouw Jr., age 84, went to be with our Lord Tuesday, December 3, 2024. His parents, Fred Carl Schouw Sr. and Barbara (née Yerrick), and younger brother, Ronald Gene Schouw, preceded him in death. He is survived by his brother, Alan Rene (Shirley) Schow. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of nearly 40 years, Lee Sharon Schouw; children Jodi Madison and Joey Graves; Lorree Probert and Randy Kidder; Sharron Lynn and Shaun Grannis; grandchildren Michael and Jessica Madison; Katie and Kyle Mohn; Adrian Kidder; and Isaac, Selah, and Lydia Grannis; great-grandchildren Max Madison, and anticipated baby girl Mohn; as well as extended family, and numerous friends from churches in both Michigan and Florida.

Fred, always known as “Skip” to family and friends, developed his love of cars and all things mechanical as a little boy, later becoming an Elvis admirer and high school trumpeter. He married Sherry Scheltema shortly after starting at General Motors (GM) as an apprentice toolmaker, turning his love of cars into what would become his career. Their daughter, Jodi, was always the apple of her daddy’s eye.

Skip continued climbing GM’s corporate ladder after earning his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering through Grand Valley State College (now University). As a senior manufacturing engineer, he was awarded a patent for his: “Pin housing sub-assembly for an hydraulic valve lifter” (no. 2005001273).

Skip’s affinity for music, expressed initially through his high school trumpet playing and lifelong enjoyment of Elvis, later became participation in church choirs, the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartet Singing in America (SPEBSQSA), and The Schubert Male Chorus.

In 1983, Skip’s involvement in music led to meeting Lee, a choir director, whom he married in 1985. Skip’s and Lee’s families became one through nearly 40 years of high school and college graduations, weddings, births, and holiday celebrations. Ever the mechanic and engineer, Skip built himself into a special father for all three daughters. While there are no patent awards for being a loving, caring, patient parent, grandparent, and great-grandparent, Skip likely deserved several.

Skip and Lee used their love of music to entertain at local festivals and praise their Lord in several different church worship services, especially at Parkwood Presbyterian Church in Jenison, MI. When Lee’s parents passed, she and Skip became the caretakers of the Florida family home and snowbirds during Michigan winters. For 25 years, their circle of Florida friends grew through the music program at the United Presbyterian Church in Bradenton. Their retirement years provided several opportunities for cruises and international trips. The last few years spent traveling in their motorhome throughout the US created joyful memories. Everyone will miss Skip and his quiet strength.

The family will hold visitation from 5-7 p.m. Friday, December 20, 2024, at Cook Memorial Chapel (East Building), 4235 Prairie Street SW, Grandville, MI 49418. A celebration of Skip’s life will commence 11 a.m. Saturday, December 21, 2024, with visitation prior starting at 9:30 a.m., at Parkwood Presbyterian Church, 7998 28th Avenue, Jenison, MI 49428. Rev. Sarah Juist will officiate.

In honor of Skip (Fred) and in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to Parkwood Presbyterian Church, 7998 28th Ave., Jenison, MI. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.