Jeffrey Paul Courtney

Jeffrey Paul “Dr. Detroit” Courtney, age 69 of Croton Township, Michigan, passed away from COVID-19 on Sunday, January 3, 2021 at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan. To know Jeff was to love him. He was a man with a heart for Christ, always ready with a helping hand for his neighbor.  His unforgettable kindness, joyous spirit, and generosity will be sorely missed by all. Born on December 23, 1951 in Decorah, Iowa to Peter and Shirley (Bernatz) Courtney, Jeff met and married his love and best friend, Kathryn Hansen, in 1972 and went on to have 3 wonderful children and later 10 grandchildren. Professionally, Jeff owned Municipal Electric in Cheshire, Connecticut before finding his passion for teaching as a Diesel Technology instructor at Mecosta-Osceola Career Center in Big Rapids, Michigan. As many of his former students would attest, Jeff was a brilliant mind with a humble nature who cared deeply for the success of his students both in the classroom and in life. In addition to his professional success, Jeff was a true renaissance man, drag racing enthusiast, and inventor. Along with building numerous race cars for others, he was proud to have built two drag racing cars he drove under the Courtney Racing name. He also invented the “Courtney Bass” (an instrument he hand-made from reclaimed 2x4s, weed wacker line, and electrical parts), and volunteered as sound coordinator at Croton Trinity Bible Church for many years. Whether working on the car of a neighbor, boat of a friend, or hand carving wood crosses for family members, Jeff shared the gift of his amazing talent with others every day. His unwavering faith, impressive work ethic, integrity, generosity, and warmth have been the guiding example left to his family to carry on in his footsteps. Our amazing husband, father, brother, and friend Jeff, is survived by his wife Kathryn, along with 3 children & 10 grandchildren: Rachael Courtney and her children Kathryn, Jeffery, & Abygail; Jennifer (Michael) VandenBoss and their children Victoria & Logan; Joshua (Samantha) and their children Evelyn, Thomas, Charlotte, Edward, & Hannah. Jeff is also survived by his sister, Joni (Kent) Eubank; brothers: Jay (Patricia) Courtney, Joel (Liz) Courtney; and by several nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and beloved grandmother Evelyn. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider donating to a GoFundMe Fund in Jeff’s name to help offset funeral and medical bills:

https://www.gofundme.com/f/jeff-courtney-funeral-medical-bills

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