Daniel Kozera

Daniel Joseph Kozera Jr., age 80, of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away unexpectedly on Friday, January 1, 2021. He was born November 20, 1940, in Niagara Falls, New York, to the late Daniel J. and Nellie (Zachacki) Kozera Sr. Dan, his sister Judy, and their parents moved to Whitehall, Michigan from Niagara Falls in 1953. He graduated from Whitehall High School in 1958. During his time there he was known as "Big Dan" and enjoyed a standout career in football, basketball, and baseball. He was inducted into the Whitehall Sports Hall of Fame in 2019, one of the highlights of his later life. Dan moved on to play baseball at Kalamazoo College for four years and had the privilege of spending a semester studying in Germany, an experience that created lifelong friendships. He went on to Valparaiso Law School. On December 18, 1965, Dan married the love of his life, Mary Grant Colgrove in Tecumseh, Michigan and later moved to the Grand Rapids area in 1966 after Dan completed law school, making their home in Wyoming, Michigan and then in Alger Heights. Dan graduated law school and went on to become a successful lawyer, and was several times voted the best in the profession in the country by the American Bar Association. Throughout his life, Dan loved gatherings of family and friends at the family cottage on Bills Lake, a nap in the hammock, a good Winston Churchill biography, the chance to ski a long blue run and a round of golf with friends at Blythefield Country Club where he was a member for 47 years. In his later years, Dan developed a passion for yoga often amazing his granddaughters with feats impossible for a man his age. Dan's friends at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church also became central to his life. Enjoying weekly Tuesday breakfast meetings with the "gang" and most importantly fellowship. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Mary Kozera; two sons, Steven Kozera and Philip (Corlis) Kozera; four grandchildren, Ella and Olivia Kozera and Lauren and Garrett Wibbels; sister, Judith Lane; brother, Ronald (Michelle) Kozera; sisters-in-law, Jane Colgrove and Barbara (Steven) Kennedy; two special grand dogs, Fitz and Sparty Kozera; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends; especially his loving nephew Eric Lane. Dan was preceded in death by his parents; and infant son, Joseph Grant who passed away in 1968. Pertaining to Dan's wishes cremation has taken place, private family services will be held, and burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church located at 5333 Clyde Park or the Whitehall Sports Hall of Fame located at 541 East Slocum Street, Whitehall in memory of Dan. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006, exclusive providers of Veterans Funeral Care. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel Kozera, please visit our flower store.