Rick Potts, 38

Richard David “Rick” Potts, age 38, of Sturgis, passed away Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015, at his home.

He was born June 5, 1976, in Sturgis, a son of David and Janice (Machan) Potts.

Rick was a lifelong Sturgis area resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1995. He continued his education at Kalamazoo Valley Community College in the emergency medical technician program and did intern training at Parker’s Ambulance Service in Sturgis and with the Centreville Fire Department.

He was currently employed in the maintenance department at Michigan Tool Works in Sturgis. He also worked as a volunteer fireman and EMT with the Centreville Fire Department, Parker’s Ambulance Service in Sturgis and Gentz Farms in Colon.

He was an Eagle Scout and enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching NASCAR, his very favorite driver being Kevin Harvick. Many will remember Rick as always putting others needs before his own, always willing to give a lending hand when he could. He truly loved time spent with his daughter, and Megan will forever remember many great times with her dad, including watching “Duck Dynasty” and “Pawn Stars” with him.

He is survived by his daughter, Megan Potts, at home; his mother, Janice Potts of Sturgis; his fiance, Melanie Couch of Rochester, N.Y.; two sisters, Amy (her fiance John Summey) Burr of Sturgis and Shannon (Billy Cobb) Baker of Bernie, Mo.; a brother, Jauhn (Kristy) Miller of Benton, Ky.; two nephews, MichaelMuino of Sturgis and Xavier Baker of Bernie; three nieces, Angelica (Jared Land) Muino of Sturgis, Athena Baker of Bernie andMegan Henry of Paducah, Ky.; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father; his stepfather, James Miller; grandparents, Ralph and Vivian Machan, and Royal and Dorothy Potts; and a cousin, Shawn Potts.

In accordance with family wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 10– 10:45 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Sturgis. A memorial service celebrating the life of Rick Potts will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.

The Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis is entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorial donations to the family would be appreciated, c/o Janice Potts, 69744 Pamela Drive, Sturgis, MI 49091; or an established gofundme account at www.gofundme.com/rickpotts?pc=mb_em.

His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.