Community mourns tragic death

May 9—TRAVERSE CITY — Funeral services are scheduled at noon Saturday for Sam DeKuiper, the remarkable young man so revered by his community whose life was cut short last Friday.

DeKuiper, 22, died when his car was struck head-on by a pickup truck on County Road 633, the Grand Traverse County Sheriff's deputies said.

DeKuiper was the only occupant of the Ford Taurus. The driver of the other vehicle and four passengers were taken to Munson Medical Center with serious injuries, police reported.

The collision is still under investigation, Capt. Brandon Brinks of the sheriff's office said.

At this time, it is unknown if speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. Visitation is planned for this Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon at New Hope Community Church.

The funeral service will follow at noon and will be available for live stream at newhope.cc. Burial will take place at 4 p.m. at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

DeKuiper, a 2019 graduate of Traverse City West Senior High School, was a student and athlete beloved by teachers and classmates, coaches and teammates. He was the quarterback for the football team and pitcher for the baseball team.

After graduating, DeKuiper went on to attend Lawrence Technological University, where he played four years of baseball and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. He graduated with honors in 2023.

He had been working since January as a mechanical engineer for Thompson Surgical Instruments in Traverse City with plans to marry his high school sweetheart.

Jackson Steele called DeKuiper "one of the best people I have ever met."

The two had known each other since middle school, and developed a lasting friendship. "Him, another buddy, and I would go on trips," Steele said. "I'm hanging in there, but right now I'm trying my best to be there for his family and his girlfriend."

DeKuiper and Steele were not only friends, but Titan teammates on the football field. "I played center, and he played quarterback, so we grew pretty close. He always carried himself to the highest level of competition. Whatever he pursued, he did it to his fullest potential."

Joe Esper, principal of Traverse City West Senior High School, said DeKuiper was "truly the best of the best."

"In my 24 years of working at the high school level, Sam DeKuiper stands out as one of the best, and most well-rounded students I have interacted with," Esper said, "He was always hard-working, positive, humble and led by example."

Matt Bocian, varsity head coach of the Titan baseball team, said DeKuiper was an exceptional athlete who "could hit, could run ... and would just go out to play the game and have fun.

"But, if you throw all of that aside ... he was much better human being than athlete — and he was a darn good athlete."

Gabe Stevens was another friend and teammate. He had known DeKuiper since 2009; they became friends when they were classmates at Silver Lake Elementary School.

"Sam was like a brother to me," Stevens said. "He was the nicest, most caring person I knew. Sam was a gift to the world and anyone who spent time with him knows that.

"I'm so grateful that I got to have him as a friend and that he was in my life."