Richard Mackey

Richard Kenneth Mackey, age 90, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. He was born on July 6th, 1934 to Clyde and Lucille (Miche) Mackey.

Richard served for two years on the USS Basilone in the US Navy before starting with Hausman Steel. Later he started an Epoxy Coating Plant in Wyoming, MI. called American Rebar Coaters and finally finishing off his career with Ambassador Steel. Along the way Richard taught many to detail rebar, fabricate rebar and read blueprints.

Richard loved many things, but golf was something that he cherished and missed doing the most. He was proud of his hole in one and even had a plaque to show it off. He would always tell you that you “hit for show and putt for dough”. He had a special putter that he loved to show off and would love to chip and run with his trusty 7 iron. Richard also loved playing cribbage and was a lifelong member of the Grand Rapids Cribbage Club like his father before him. He was always happy to sit down and play a game with you and teach you a few things about cribbage. Richard loved camping in their travel trailer for years before settling down to manage/host Riverside Park in Evart. Barb and Richard worked hard to make sure all guests enjoyed their stay, and the park was clean and well maintained. Finally, Richard loved to put everything into an Excel spreadsheet. From birthdays, medical information, to whoever liked what pizza toppings. Everything for him could be put on a spread sheet.

Richard is preceded in death by his first wife, Janet Mackey, in 1997; his brother, Robert Mackey, and his sister, Donna Veenstra. He is survived by his current wife of 26 years, Barb Mackey; his children, Kevin (Jill) Mackey, Ryan Mackey, Tod (Lisa) Mackey, Bret (Lisa) Mackey and her children, Troy (Michelle) Sremba, Todd Sremba, Kelli (Tim) Hinton, and Bobbi (Shane) Shuttuck; 19 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; his sister, Bonnie Meyer; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Richard will take place at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt-Shawmut Chapel, (2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504) on Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:30 PM. A short memorial service is to follow from 12:30 to 1:00 pm. Family members/friends can attend a graveside service at Rosedale Memorial Park Cemetery (50 Lake Michigan Dr. NW Grand Rapids, MI. 49534) at 1:30 pm.

Memorial contributions can be made to West Michigan Hospice or the American Heart Association. To share a memory or favorite photo, or to sign Richard’s guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com.