David Lee “Gabby” Golliher
January 8th, 1961 - November 30th, 2025
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Gabby's Obituary
DAVID LEE GOLLIHER
1/8/61-11/30/25
Gabby to all who knew and loved him…. born in Kalamazoo at Bronson Hospital, his early years were spent with his family living in Richland, Mi. He was a curious, rambunctious, loving little boy who feared pretty much nothing. Those traits followed him throughout his life as he moved with his parents to Decatur, MI when he was a junior in high school. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1979 and joined the Army. He served his basic training at Ft. Dix and was a Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic in Germany. When he was discharged, he returned to Decatur where he continued to live for many years raising two sons, Peter and Brett. He worked for several years at the Decatur Public Schools and spent the rest of his work years as a Maintenance Mechanic in the Engineering Department at the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. He later purchased a home in Union, Michigan and lived there until his death. A lifelong love with motorcycles began when he was 8 years old. Like his grandpa David he knew no stranger and while visiting his grandparents in Illinois, he wandered into the garage of a man who was working on a motorcycle. That curious spirit led to lots of questions and motorcycles became his passion that day. He had a dirt bike when he was nine years old and purchased his first Harley Davidson when he returned home from military service. David was an honest, straightforward man who took responsibility for all of his life choices and believed that his word was his bond. He was smart, funny, a loyal friend, and a loving dad, grandpa, and brother. He is survived by his sons Peter (Kelsie), Brett (Abby), 6 grandchildren, his siblings Carolyn Klepper, Bob (Heidi) Golliher, Barbara Golliher, and life partner Sherry Butler-Youngreen, and very best friend Ken Tyler (aka Ax). A celebration of David’s life will be held in the spring. In keeping with his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the wind on the back of his favorite Victory Motorcycle at 70 miles an hour on Marsh Road. If you knew Gabby, you’d know that’s exactly as it should be.
1/8/61-11/30/25
Gabby to all who knew and loved him…. born in Kalamazoo at Bronson Hospital, his early years were spent with his family living in Richland, Mi. He was a curious, rambunctious, loving little boy who feared pretty much nothing. Those traits followed him throughout his life as he moved with his parents to Decatur, MI when he was a junior in high school. He graduated from Decatur High School in 1979 and joined the Army. He served his basic training at Ft. Dix and was a Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanic in Germany. When he was discharged, he returned to Decatur where he continued to live for many years raising two sons, Peter and Brett. He worked for several years at the Decatur Public Schools and spent the rest of his work years as a Maintenance Mechanic in the Engineering Department at the Kalamazoo Psychiatric Hospital. He later purchased a home in Union, Michigan and lived there until his death. A lifelong love with motorcycles began when he was 8 years old. Like his grandpa David he knew no stranger and while visiting his grandparents in Illinois, he wandered into the garage of a man who was working on a motorcycle. That curious spirit led to lots of questions and motorcycles became his passion that day. He had a dirt bike when he was nine years old and purchased his first Harley Davidson when he returned home from military service. David was an honest, straightforward man who took responsibility for all of his life choices and believed that his word was his bond. He was smart, funny, a loyal friend, and a loving dad, grandpa, and brother. He is survived by his sons Peter (Kelsie), Brett (Abby), 6 grandchildren, his siblings Carolyn Klepper, Bob (Heidi) Golliher, Barbara Golliher, and life partner Sherry Butler-Youngreen, and very best friend Ken Tyler (aka Ax). A celebration of David’s life will be held in the spring. In keeping with his wishes, his ashes will be scattered in the wind on the back of his favorite Victory Motorcycle at 70 miles an hour on Marsh Road. If you knew Gabby, you’d know that’s exactly as it should be.
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