David Colden Searles
David Colden Searles, 82, of Harbor Springs, Michigan, and Sanibel Island, Florida, died peacefully on December 17, 2022, in Denver, Colorado.
David was born on July 11, 1940, to Charles C. Searles and Evelyn (Jacobson) Searles in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. David and his siblings were raised in Wilmette, Illinois, and he graduated from Wayland Academy in Bear Lake, Wisconsin. David attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, on an ROTC scholarship, graduating with a degree in Business. It was there he met his future wife, Karen Kenney. Following graduation, they married and moved to Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he served for two years in the United States Army and started a family. Eventually relocating to Birmingham, Michigan, to pursue a career in banking, David worked for Michigan National Bank for many years. He extended his career in banking and commercial lending as the President of Franklin Savings Bank. In 1996 he and his family moved to Harbor Springs full time, where he finished his career at Old Kent Bank in Petoskey.
An avid tennis and squash player, David was a member of The Little Harbor Club, the Birmingham Athletic Club, and Beachview Tennis Club. He played every day that he could. Many will smile fondly, remembering Big Dave’s antics on the court and his fond appreciation of the sport.
Upon retirement, David and Karen spent their time in their two favorite places, Roaring Brook, MI and Sanibel Island, where he was very involved in both communities. Serving as president of and sitting on the Board of the Roaring Brook Association for years, he was often seen on the beach, in his white bucket hat, under an umbrella, getting the inside scoop from the community he served and loved. He also enjoyed collaborating with neighbors and friends around the pond on Sanibel to work and care for the island community.
Throughout his life he was active in various philanthropic activities. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Harbor Springs, volunteered as a mediator and small business advisor, worked as a census coordinator, and even pushed the book cart around at the hospital. David was an active member of St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church on Sanibel Island and volunteered for decades at their charity shop, Noah’s Ark.
A memorial celebration of his life will take place this summer in Harbor Springs, MI. The family also plans to have a service at St. Michael & All Angels on Sanibel Island when his friends can gather safely again.
David is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Karen K. Searles; children, Jennifer Thomas (David) of Brisbane, Australia, Christopher C. Searles of Harbor Springs, Michigan, and Carrie Lambert (William) of Denver, Colorado; and 8 grandchildren: Marley, Maxwell (Kristiana), Grace, Mitchell, Matilda, Isabella, Colden and Esther.
Also surviving David are his sister, Sarah Grace (Larry) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and brothers Stephen Searles (Connie) of Boise, Idaho, and Christopher Searles (Lora) of Scottsdale, Arizona. David is predeceased by his parents and younger brother Barry Searles.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to The Little Traverse Conservancy or Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge.