Thomas F. Potter
Thomas Floyd Potter, a man who will always be remembered as a farmer and a prankster, passed away on October 9, 2021. Thomas, 77, was born on September 28, 1944, on a farm in Roxand Township to Floyd John and Alice Clark (Mead) Potter. Thomas graduated from Sunfield High School in 1962. In his youth, Thomas was active in FFA and Boy Scouts. After graduation he worked for OI, Fowlers Farm Store, Barker Fowler Electric, River Electric, and Robinson Farms. Even while working other jobs, he still was a farmer working his own farmland until the 1980s. After that he rented it out and still worked the land. Thomas resided in the same house all his life. Thomas had a great love for anything western related. In his heart he was a cowboy from the past. He enjoyed the history of ghost towns, westerns, especially those with John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, and Hopalong Cassidy chaps. Thomas really enjoyed road trips. One of his favorite trips was to Dodge City, Kansas (cowboy heaven). All trips always included stops at a museum, he loved history. He also had a huge love for cats. He was known as the cat whisperer. Most of all Thomas loved babies. Baby animals, grandbabies, he loved them all. Thomas was a man you could count on to help you, he didn’t know the meaning of the word “no.” He was so proud of his children and his grandchildren and his family was his world.
Thomas is survived by his loving family, his wife of 44 years, Celinda (Eaton); daughter, Lisa (Scott) Patterson; sons, James (Tina) Potter, John Potter, and Eddie Potter; granddaughters, Elena Potter, Clare Potter, Avery Kirkbride; special nieces, Mary Palucki, and Tracy Spears; brothers and sisters-in-law, Vanessa Eaton, Danny (Cindy) Eaton, Sherry (Joe) Merrill, Marie Palucki, and Frank Spears; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Thomas was predeceased by a stillborn brother who was not named; his parents, Floyd and Alice; and his brother-in-law, Terry Eaton.
Funeral services were held Friday, October 15, 2021, at 2 p.m., at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte with Laura Cooper officiating. Visitation was Friday, October 15, 2021, from noon to 2 p.m. at Pray Funeral Home. The funeral service was webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to prayfuneral.com, click on Thomas’ tribute, then click on photos and videos from your computer (or media from your smart phone). If desired, the family suggests memorial contributions to Future Farmers of America. Family and friends are encouraged to share remembrances and condolences online in Thomas’ tribute page at prayfuneral.com. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte, MI.