Karl Frank Gabrys

Karl Frank Gabrys, age 93, of Plymouth, Michigan, passed away Friday, August 14, 2026, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Karl was born March 13, 1933, in Detroit, Michigan, to Karol and Marie (Reichbauer) Gabrys.

Beloved husband of Doris. Loving father of Karl (Patti) Gabrys and Karen Gabrys. Dearest grandfather of Benjamin (Brianna) Gabrys, Daniel (Jessica) Gabrys, Matthew Bengry, and Megan (Daniel) Ruehle. Great-grandfather of Aliyah Gabrys, Raegan Ruehle, and Dane Ruehle. Dear brother of Marianne Caines, Caroline Kasa, Emil Gabrys, Eleanor Balamucki, Julia Roloff, Harry Gabrys, Angeline Kory, and Nancy Boyajian.

Karl had many careers. In the Navy, he served both stateside and aboard the USS Midway aircraft carrier during part of the Korean War; when stateside, he served on shore patrol. After the Navy, he went to the Police Academy in Detroit, where he had a long career as a police officer. He was also a member of the Detroit Police Athletic Team and competed in tug-of-war.

Karl enjoyed catering parties for friends and family. After retiring from the Detroit Police force, he earned an associate's degree in Hospitality Management, where he honed the cooking skills he first learned helping Doris' grandmother cater weddings years earlier. He later earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan.

Somewhere along the way, he fell in love with airplanes and flying. This led to another career in aerial photography. After several years of buzzing around the skies of Michigan for both business and pleasure, he sadly could no longer fly solo. That led to his real retirement, when he spent his days cooking, volunteering at the Ann Arbor VA hospital, gathering with the Detroit Police Choir Boys, and visiting with family and friends.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life and luncheon from 12 pm to 3 pm on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 574 S Sheldon Rd, Plymouth, MI 48170. So the family can get an accurate count, RSVP for the Celebration of Life luncheon at www.MichiganCremation.com

Burial will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly on Monday, September 28, 2026, at 1:30 pm.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Karl's online guest book, share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com. The family requests that no flowers or memorial trees be sent, and prefers that people enjoy a nice meal with family and friends.