31 July 2010
NEEDHAM, Alan "Al" - Age 66, of Polk City, FL, passed away quietly and peacefully during the early hours of July 22, 2010 with his sons, daughters, and loving wife and best friend at his bedside; he finally surrendered his watch after several years of suffering a number of life-limiting illnesses with aspiration pneumonia being the final culprit. Al was born in Flint, MI., on January 17, 1944 as middle child to the late Eddison and Lillian Mae (Brayton) Needham. He enjoyed a "Wonderful! and Normal!" childhood there and the fact that he started on a newspaper route at age eight kept it for "Ten Years!" probably shaped many of his characteristics and values. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Music degree and he and his first wife taught school band near the Kalamazoo, MI. area for a few years - until the babies started coming. In his pursuit to find what work he could to support his growing family, Al did everything from sell tires to re-possess appliances! Al finally found work with, at the time, Michigan Bell (from where his father, Ed had retired years earlier having started out going out house to house installing telephones in the 1930s). Al's job ended up taking him to several different out-of-town locations but he was proud to be able to support his sons and do extra when he could. He retired from AT &T in 1996 as a tech. consultant, and in 1997, Al moved to his retirement, dream home in Big Rapids, MI., a little cottage on Rogers Dam Pond on the mighty Muskegon River. Being "almost" content there, he decided he needed one more thing, so he checked into a respectable sounding "introduction service in Grand Rapids. As chance would have it, so had someone else, on August 31, 1999, he met Ms. Bonnie Keys - their first date lasted 30 hours and the rest was history! On July 25, 2010 they would have been married for ten years. Besides his parents, Alan was predeceased by an infant grandson Trinity Avalon in December 2009. He is survived by his very beloved wife Bonnie Keys, truly beloved sons Matthew Needham and Benjamin Needham (as well as their mother Kerry Payne), (step) daughters Marijo Zandbergen and Marilee Mast, grandchildren: Ena Jai Wang Needham, Oliver Needham, Corporal Serina Ruiz USMC, Donnie and Johnny Zandbergen, and Mosheven Mast. Al is survived by his big brother Jerry and Charlotte Needham (Clio, MI); his baby sister Linda Needham of Corpus Christi, TX, and his nephews and nieces: Delane, Kim, Jeff, Mellissa, and grand nieces/nephews, Olivea, Chad, Brandi. Alan also leaves to miss and mourn him (but do remember to celebrate his humor! his happy kinda fellow self!) many cousins from both the Needham and Brayton clans - fine folks all, but especially best friend cousins Pam and Bob Bonk. Last and not least, Al's stand-by-your-side friend for all the time he was sick and long before, Stevie Goodrow. In lieu of any floral or other memorial won't you please consider your local food bank or shelter of any sort. Memorial services will be in Michigan at a later date with a private committal after.
Send Flowers » Share / Tell a Friend » Send Correction »
