Tad Christopher Feutz

In Loving Memory of Tad Christopher Feutz April 12, 1970 – July 28, 2025 Tad Christopher Feutz, age 55, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 28, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, love, and the kind of stories that become legend. He was many things—a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a philosopher, a chef, a traveler, a dreamer—but above all, Tad was one-of-a-kind. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on April 12, 1970, Tad was the fifth of seven children in the vibrant Feutz family. He grew up on the west side, where life was filled with bike rides through cornfields, tree-climbing adventures, and a rotating cast of beloved pets. It was a childhood rich in freedom and curiosity, qualities he would carry with him for the rest of his life. Tad attended Shawmut Hills Elementary, Westwood Middle School, and Union High School, where he lettered in wrestling and formed lifelong friendships. He later attended Grand Rapids Junior College, working hard while earning his degree, always determined to carve his own path. And carve it, he did. Tad was a free spirit with a courageous heart. He wasn’t built for the ordinary. He had a poet’s soul and a wanderer’s feet. For six summers, he worked as a waiter on Mackinac Island; an experience that sparked his lifelong passion for people, food, and stories. During the winters, he followed his curiosity across the globe: from the temples of Cambodia to the mountains of South America, from bustling night markets in Thailand to hidden alley cafés in Europe and through the sacred riverbanks of India. His passport was well-used, but it was his heart that truly traveled. Tad didn’t just eat food,he explored it. He believed that a perfect dish could tell a story, that a shared meal could bridge any divide. From street stalls to fine dining, Tad was constantly learning, tasting, and experimenting. His passion led him into the restaurant business, where he co-founded the Blind Squirrel Tavern in Fremont, Michigan. After several successful years, he sold his share and spent a year traveling the world again,because Tad didn’t do things halfway. He later became co-owner of The Win Tavern 33 in Jenison, where he remained a vital part of the culinary community. Tad wasn’t just loved, he was cherished. His presence lit up a room. His laughter was loud, his hugs were real, and his advice was always worth listening to. He gave generously, showed up often, and loved deeply. He could quote philosophers or Monty Python with equal fluency. He made you feel like the most important person in the world, even if you’d just met. To his many nieces and nephews, he was Uncle Tad, the one who showed up with a big smile and an even bigger heart. He loved each of them fiercely: Zach, Sarah, Brandy, Kori, Jacob, Jeared, Ashlyn, Brandon, Katie, Meredith, and so many others. His love lives on in them, in the lessons he taught and the laughter he shared. Tad was preceded in death by his father, John David Feutz; his sister, Robyn Elise Braithwaite; and his oldest brother, Torrey Edward Feutz, who passed just five weeks prior. We like to imagine them now, gathered at a breakfast table—or maybe a bar—swapping stories, saving him a seat. He is survived by his mother, Kate (Kay) Feutz and her husband Jim Tubergen; siblings Troy (Garnet) Feutz, Tobyn (Stacey Reglin) Feutz, Rachel (Scottie Hoard) Feutz and Trent Feutz; sister-in-law Cindy Feutz; and countless great-nieces and great-nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends who became family. Tad’s story doesn’t end here. It continues in every shared memory, every campfire story, every recipe passed down, every “tad” of something extra added to a dish. Maybe one day we’ll write Adventures with Tad, but for now, we’ll keep telling the stories. That’s how he’ll live on. “We didn’t realize we were making memories; we just thought we were having fun.” We love you, Tad. – Ma, 2, 3, 6 & 7 Visitation & Celebration of Life Saturday, August 9, 2025 Visitation: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Location: Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary 3525 Remembrance Rd NW, Walker, MI 49534 Celebration to follow at Mill Creek Tavern 3874 W River Dr NW, Comstock Park, MI 49321

Tributes

Tad Christopher Feutz

April 12, 1970 - July 28, 2025