Kim LaFave

Kim LaFave, known as "Old Man", 66, passed away at home on August 15, 2023. No, it was not because he caught himself on fire welding while using his oxygen again. He passed peacefully at home with family. Born December 23, 1959 at home in Black River, MI, he was an early Christmas gift to his parents, Edward and Yvonne (Potvin) LaFave, however, maybe not always a gift to his 9 siblings. Early on in his life, he passed his time farming with his family and "walked to school uphill both ways"...or so he told us. As he grew up, he became a heavy equipment operator, truck driver, and diesel mechanic. Anything with an engine, he could fix. He owned and operated Kim's Salvage in Black River up until the day he passed, leaving behind a hell of a lot of stuff to his family who have no idea what to do with it. So if anyone is in need of some toilets, lawn mower parts, radiators, or used tires, please wait the appropriate amount of time to get in touch. Tomorrow would be fine. His hobbies included small crop farming, baking, golfing with his buddies, and fudging on his scorecard. His biggest joy in life came from whooping butt and taking names on the track. Whether it was a Demolition Derby, Bump N Run, or a race, it was always the highlight of his year to spend time with friends and family. He will be greatly missed by his surviving wife: Tamara LaFave, children: Kim LaFave Jr, Krystian (Michael) White, Mykala Basner, Michael (Ellie) Basner, August LaFave, grandkids: Sonny, Brook, Matthew, McKenzie, McKayla, Taylor, Nathan, Elijah, Daxton, Casey, Carmen, Carson, and Bennett, great grand kids, brothers, sister, nieces, nephews, buddies, and his junkyard dog, Bear. He was preceded in death by his sisters: Lois Lavergne and Janet Delorge, brother: Barry LaFave, daughter: Heather Hoos, and one ornery rooster that acted just like him. The family will be holding one last hoorah in his honor on September 16, 2023 at 1pm at his beloved place of business, Kim's Salvage. Please feel free to stop by and share your memories. Memorial donations may be sent care of Gillies Funeral Home in Lincoln. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kim LaFave, please visit our flower store.