Felipe was a man of rhythm and reliability. Each day he woke up at 5 AM. Made Folgers coffee, brewed for 1 minute and 20 seconds. Watched the Weather Channel and arrived at work on time. For his family, Felipe’s consistency provided a sense of safety that will be cherished in their memories.
At 35 years old, he immigrated from Mexico, first in California but eventually putting down roots in Holland where he served more than 20 years at Gentex Corporation. Felipe was a problem solver, and while he may not have always had answers, he never let that faze him. He spent countless hours with his kids at the library, researching how to fix his beloved Pontiac. YouTube became a source for the latest hacks in home maintenance and repair. Did any of those repairs work? Mostly no. But did he stop? Never.
Felipe had a passion for soccer and a gift for teaching the game to others. He had a knack for finding and training teams that had no equipment, money, or even ability. And trained they did. He never needed a whistle to get his players moving. But after landing trophy after trophy across regional leagues and helping develop students who went on to be state champions with their schools, the results are a testament to the methods of “El Don”.
An unyielding man, Felipe always demanded the best of himself and others. At times his standard of excellence seemed unattainable. Yet in hindsight, he taught resilience and forged a desire to be a better version of ourselves every day.
Felipe’s boundless ethos is carried by the children who survive him: Cesar, Norma, Lucia, Lorena, Luis Felipe, Brenda Merari, Daniel, Brandon; and his grandchildren: Gerardo, Alyssa, Diego, Giovanni, Leonardo, and Alessandra. He is preceded in death by his son, Omar. Also surviving are Felipe’s wife, Carmen; mother, Lucia; and siblings: Margo, Lupe, and Jesus.
Visitation will be from 5:30-8:30 pm on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 East 16th St. Holland, MI, 49423. A funeral service to celebrate Felipe’s life and legacy will be at 1:00 pm on Saturday, March 19. Burial at Pilgrim Home Cemetery will follow. Memorial contributions may be given for a future soccer scholarship fund: gofund.me/1cc56094
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