(March 12, 1942 — December 10, 2023)

Funeral: Monday December 18, 2023, Visitation at 10AM, Service at 11AM at Calvary Church, 707 E. Beltline Avenue NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525.

Dedicated servant of Christ, Pastor Don Tack, was called home to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, December 11, where he rejoined his dear late wife, Phyllis. Everyone who knew Don was impacted by his tremendous heart — especially his heart for the poor. He made his life's mission to serve the poor, as guided by the Bible's teachings to help the least of these. He received his undergraduate education from Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music and Bryan College in Dayton, TN, and a masters degree from Wheaton College in Christian Education. Highlights of his career include being invited to visit homeless programs by city officials in Memphis and San Francisco as their police departments to get an inside look at how they were adding social workers to their response teams. Don was honored in 2014 with Guiding Light Mission's "Good Samaritan Award" for his work with the poor and mentally ill homeless throughout Grand Rapids. One of his biggest adventures was moving his family from Grand Rapids to Phoenix in 1976 to write for Sunday School Plus. He was involved in starting and pastoring several churches including Desert Springs Bible Church in Phoenix, where he spent nearly a decade. There was no mistaking him as a pastor wearing a leather jacket and riding a motorcycle. He enjoyed vintage cars and was a walking encyclopedia of facts. He and his family enjoyed an outdoorsy Arizona lifestyle, taking numerous hiking, backpacking, and camping trips. He also had a wonderful eye for photography. He and his family have loved watching the Lions play so well this season, as well as the Chiefs and Broncos. We'll cherish our years of family football watching with him. We also enjoyed a variety of fun recurring activities like hiking to the Big Sable Lighthouse, Andy Griffith Show trivia, watching old movies, using his chainsaw to cut firewood, and sightseeing around the country. His sense of humor was honed like no other. Many silly songs were made up over the years that we will always sing. Don leaves behind his son Steve Tack of Denver CO; daughter Lori Tack of Grand Rapids MI and daughter of the heart, Magali (Andreas) Pes-Schmid; brother Charles (Connie) Tack of Warsaw IN; brother Neal (Bev) Tack of Delton MI; Nieces Sheri, Michelle, Kris, Lisa, Cindy and Molly; Nephews Doug, Jeremy and Brian; as well as their families; and of course, faithful rescue dog, Mimi. He was predeceased by his late brother, Roger Tack, and his parents, Leon and Mable Tack of Banfield, MI. Don grew up on a farm, the oldest of four brothers, outside Delton, Michigan. As a teenager, he dedicated his life to the Lord and especially to helping the less fortunate. After earning his master's in Christian Education from Wheaton College in 1972, Don spent over 50 years in direct outreach to the poor and mentally ill homeless - as well as preaching, teaching, writing, and consulting about the topic that was the mission of life. As an Evangelical pastor and Christian college educator, Don began having concerns about the drift of churches away from direct, relationship-based ministry among the poor. With colleagues and financial support from area churches, he created Servants Center in 1991, and Poverty Ministry Consulting in 2009, both serving the greater Grand Rapids area. His consulting ministry has reached hundreds of church leaders throughout Michigan — giving advice and sharing his vast detailed knowledge of how to create effective church-based poverty ministries. In 1991, Don created Servants Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that directly serves the unmet needs of our fellow citizens dealing with poverty and homelessness in the Grand Rapids area. Using direct street outreach techniques, they've helped thousands of clients get off and stay off the streets — and continue to do so with great skill. The organization assists their clients with housing and medical issues and provides guardianship and payee services. Learn about their work, get involved and contribute at www.SCGR.org. Endless thank you's to the outstanding staff of Clark Retirement on Franklin, Emmanuel Hospice and everyone who showed love to our dear Don during his last Earthly years. Thank you to Calvary Church and to his many supporters. Learn about Don Tack's work and his pending book about how to create effective poverty ministries at www.povertyministry.org. In lieu of flowers, send memorial contributions to: Servants Center, Box F, Grand Rapids MI 49501. To volunteer, call (616) 456-8512.