It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the passing of Dan Babcock, founder of longtime MITA member Give ‘Em A Brake Safety and recently recognized MITA Honorary Member.
Dan J. Babcock, age 69, of Bay Harbor and Ocean Reef, passed away due to heart complications on March 25, 2022, at the Cleveland Cardiology Clinic in Weston, Fl.
Dan was born January 27, 1953 in Grand Rapids, MI. to parents Vernon and Donna Babcock at Mercy Health St. Mary’s Hospital, where his lifelong friend, Monte, was also born on the same day. A dedicated worker and driven to succeed, his first job was washing cars at Tiny’s Auto Wash in order to have spending money. With 6 children in the family he also found innovative ways to provide sodas for his brothers and sisters by collecting bottle caps and turning them in for soda “prizes.” After graduating from Grand Valley State University, Dan married his high school sweetheart, Kathy, in 1975. They started Work Safe Supply Company, a traffic control and safety products business, which was incorporated in 1979. After years of building relationships and growing the company, Dan sold Work Safe to a nationally-owned company and continued to grow, learn and buy businesses to consolidate the industry. After a non-compete agreement, Dan and his partners bought his original company back, which was re-named: Give Em A Brake Safety. Dan stepped away from day-to-day management of GEBS in order to help others achieve their business dreams by providing capital support, knowledge and passion. Although Dan worked in traffic control and ensuring the safety of not only his workers but of the traveling public, his entire life, his true loves were his family. Dan always took his role as the big brother of the six children in his family to heart. There was nothing he would not do to help his siblings or someone he cared about. While Dan and Kathy did not reach their golden wedding anniversary, they were married 46 years. They welcomed home their first child, Rocky, in 1988 and their daughter, Lexxy, in 1990. Dan was a devoted husband and father, who always made sure everyone was taken care of.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Babcock; children, Rocky (Courtney) Babcock; daughter, Lexxy Babcock; and his three grandchildren, Norah, Augustus and Enzo.
Services are as follows:
Visitation
March 31, 2022
2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. & 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Matthysee Kuiper Degraaf Funeral Home
4145 Chicago Dr. SW
Grandville, MI 49418
A Mass of Christian Burial
April 1, 2022
11:00 a.m.
Holy Redeemer Catholic Church
2700 Baldwin St.
Jenison, MI 48428
For those looking to honor Dan’s memory, the family asks you to consider donating to MITA Scholarship Fund on Dan’s behalf. All checks should be made out to MITA, Inc., with the words MITA Scholarship Fund written on the memo line and mailed to PO Box 1640 Okemos, MI 48805, or please visit thinkmita.org. Condolences can be made online at https://www.mkdfuneralhome.com/
