Gary Boortz October 24, 1947 - November 2, 2004
Henderson, NV (formerly of Mason, MI)
Gary was a loving father, grandfather,
brother, and son. Wise, warm and giving, he would do
anything he could to help anyone in need. He graduated from
Lincoln Park High School and Western Michigan University.
For most of his career he worked in multiple departments
with the State of Michigan. Gary excelled at hockey, and
was a sports fan and avid supporter of the Red Wings,
Tigers, Lions, and Pistons. He was also a soccer
referee in the Lansing area for many years, and a former
president of GLASRA. He always dreamed of moving
west, and had only recently moved to Nevada. Gary was
preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Joy Boortz;
and one brother, Richard. He is survived by three children
William (Wanda) Boortz, Max Boortz, Emily (Jake) Green; one
granddaughter, Madeline Green; sisters Sandra (Joe) Groat,
and Jan (Jerry) Simons; brothers Doug (Judy) Boortz, and
Dennis Boortz; and many nieces and nephews. Gary will be
missed by many. Donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association in
memory of Gary Boortz.
Doug DeRose August 25, 1988 - May 16, 2003
Mason, MI
With his big brown eyes, and warm
personality, Doug DeRose had a smile that could capture
anybody. "He just lit up the room," his mother, Mary
Lantzy, said. "You couldn't help but love Doug." The
14-year-old Mason Middle School 8th grader was looking
forward to a summer of fun with family and friends, and
playing soccer at Mason High School. Doug was a
GLASRA member, having just certified as a US Soccer
Federation referee. He was looking forward to working his
first soccer match. His life, full of many friends
and a lot of love, ended much too soon. Doug was struck by
a vehicle while jogging near his home in Mason (see Update
below). He leaves behind his parents, brother Michael and
stepsisters Stephanie and Tori. Doug, a soccer player since
kindergarten, was conditioning for the sport all the time,
said his stepfather, Bill Lantzy. "He was always on the
go... a big-time soccer player," Lantzy said. Doug, along
with his teammates with Capital Area United... a
Lansing-based soccer team playing in the statewide Michigan
Premier League... was set to play in a State Cup tournament
in Midland, but his untimely death changed that. Coach Rod
Murphy forfeited the game. "Doug was a very confident young
man without any trace of conceit," Murphy said. "He was
very, very well liked by his teammates because of his hard
work." Teammate Dan Bachelder recalled a May 10 soccer game
in Farmington where Doug scored three of the team's five
goals. Dan, also 14, spent every day of the week with Doug.
The two lived a few blocks apart and had played on the same
soccer team since the second grade. They went to the same
church and often golfed together. "He was basically a
brother to me," Dan said. "He was my best friend." Doug was
always smiling, and he could never stay mad about anything
for more than 30 seconds, his brother Michael DeRose said.
Stepsister Stephanie Lantzy said Doug was so well liked
that kids would fight to sit next to him at lunch in grade
school. He was giving until the end, she said, adding that
Doug donated his organs to others. "He
saved people's lives," she said. (Excerpted and adapted
from an article by Tracy Burton, Lansing State Journal)
UPDATE, April 14, 2004: William Nichols,
73, was sentenced in Ingham County Circuit Court to two
years probation for Reckless Driving, a criminal
conviction. He also surrendered his driver license for
life. Prosecutors said Nichols failed to yield the
right-of-way to an oncoming driver who then swerved to
avoid Nichols' vehicle and hit Doug who was jogging by the
side of the road. Nichols will avoid a trial and jail time,
but will be on non-reporting probation for two years
(authorities will periodically check his driver record to
assure that he has not been charged with any violations).
Both Nichols' attorney and Doug's family expressed
satisfaction with the sentence.
A civil suit is pending.