Robert C. Brierly

Robert C. Brierly, 82, of Kalamazoo, passed away Monday, February 20, 2023, at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo. He was born February 25, 1940, in Kalamazoo, the son of Robert and Ida Mae (Gave) Brierly.

Bob graduated in 1970 from Long Beach City College, Long Beach, CA, with an electronics degree and was employed with National Waterlift in Kalamazoo for 30 years. Bob was a member of Green Meadow Bible Baptist Church where he taught Sunday School and led the Boys and Girls Club for 25 years. He later attended Berean Baptist Church for several years where he also served as a Sunday School teacher and youth leader. Bob enjoyed running, hiking, backpacking two sections of the Appalachian Trail, camping, and racing motorcycles. He was proud of having run the Boston Marathon and for having attended the first Superbowl in 1967 at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

On June 22, 1979, at Green Meadow Bible Church in Kalamazoo, Bob was united in marriage to Dolores Cox, who survives. He is also survived by three children, Robin (Rob Vanderwall) Brierly, Charyl Blakeslee and Robert D. Brierly; seven grandchildren, Kristen (Corey) Couk, Jessica Brierly Snowden, Ashley Brierly, Nicole (Zach Faust) Blakeslee, Eric James Blakeslee, Ava Blakeslee, and Mikayla Benson; six great grandchildren, Audrey, Carley, and Jacob Couk, Serenity, Sophia, and Murphy Faust; three siblings, Sandy Gray, Edward (Shirley) Brierly and Kathy (Terry) Meyer; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his previous wife, Sharon Horn, and a brother, Ronald Brierly.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 27, 2023, at Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 5975 Lovers Lane, Portage, MI 49002, Brian Cooper officiating, with a time for visiting from 10-11 a.m. Following the service, he will be laid to rest at Fort Custer National Cemetery. For those wishing to attend the committal service with military honors, please arrive at the assembly area at Fort Custer no later than 2:15 p.m.

While visiting Bob’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook by lighting a candle, and/or sharing a memory with the family. Memorial contributions may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators.

The Brierly family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 S. Grand Street, PO Box 417, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (269) 679-5622.