Bradley "Brad" Thomas Fritz

Bradley “Brad” Thomas Fritz, age 55, of Spring Lake, passed away unexpectedly at home on Monday, December 22, 2025. He was born on May 25, 1970, in Pontiac, MI, to William and Claire (Roussel) Fritz. Brad began dating Kathryn “Kathy” McLain on February 13, 2014, and they were married in June of 2022.

Brad graduated from high school and went on to graduate with his bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University where Kathy attended at the same time, but they never met. He spent the majority of his career working for Porter Corp. in Holland, developing rep networks across the country for architectural steel structures.  To grow his network further, Brad obtained his Associate DBIA with The Design Build Institute of America in 2024.  He worked and enjoyed bringing the pinnacle steel structure for the Lynn Sherwood Waterfront Stadium in Grand Haven to the community. He was a member of the American Legion Charles A. Conklin Post 28 (SAL), where he loved to go and socialize with his crew.

Brad was a no duck Jeep owner who enjoyed riding with the top down in the summer, sitting on his deck at home with his wife, Kathy, and going out for pizza at Clover Bar. Music was Brad’s passion, and you could almost always find him streaming something; he especially loved the Foo Fighters, The MTV Unplugged Nirvana Set from 1993, Grateful Dead, and Zach Brown Band. He loved to boast that while attending Ferris State, he was a D.J. at the Alibi Bar.

Brad was the most honest person you would ever meet, and you always knew where you stood with him.  His spirit and faith was the driving force in his life.  His best ability was to help others see the good within themselves and to never take no for an answer. He never believed in an easy path but was always willing to take a bumpy road if it was the right way and lead the way fearlessly.  Brad did not understand how to be in a room without making people laugh with his quick wit and humor and by night's end at any event, he had made contact with everyone in attendance.

Brad’s greatest accomplishment of life was being a “self proclaimed girl-dad” to his three daughters, Abby, Emma, and Lexi. He was present in every aspect of their life, whether it was being their coach for soccer, becoming the PTA president of every school the girls attended to keep the beloved “Buc Blasters” to their standards, such as finding room in the school budget for a mechanical bull, taking them to Grand Rapids Griffins games, driving to school in the jeep with the top down beginning in March, and so much more that cannot be put into words. Brad instilled in his girls to live life everyday like it's your last, to fear nothing, and to chase your dreams, just as he did. 

Family was of utmost importance, and every year this blended family would get together for the Forced Family Fun Weekend, aka FFF, which he always looked forward to. He discovered his true calling in being “Pops” to his grandson, Scott.  The family even extended to the dog, “The Good Reverend” (Rev), and his former dogs: Natty, Goose, and Max. Brad adored, cherished and reveled in the life he lived and considered himself to be blessed.

Brad will forever be remembered and deeply missed by his loving wife, Kathy; his children: Abby Fritz (significant other, Aaron Senor), Emma (Grant) Norris, Lexi (Connor) Herbert, and bonus kids Gavin (Taylor) Cobb, and Kylie Cobb; his much loved grandson, Scott Herbert; his mother, Claire Fritz; two sisters, Teresa (Dave) Dissett and Sherette (Bob) Mickles; brother, Billy (Dawn) Fritz; as well as several nieces, nephews, cousins, and a multitude of friends. He was preceded in death by his father, William Fritz, and uncle Bruce Fritz.

A private celebration of Brad’s life will be held at a later date.

Memorial Contributions in honor of Brad may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan or Pound Buddies Animal Shelter in Muskegon, Michigan.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bradley "Brad" Thomas Fritz, please visit our floral store.