Paul Joseph Potts

He was born in Flint Michigan on March 1, 1941, to Paul Eldrige Potts and Theresa Ann Potts (Morgan). He was married August 29, 1981, to Barbara Hamm for 42 years. He grew up primarily in Mt. Morris Michigan where he attended St Mary’s Catholic church and School. He accrued college credit at both Community College as well as Michigan State University. He started in the construction business for a lumber company in Holland Michigan but then pursued his interest in the music business for the next 11 years by building a recording studio in Flint and then moving it to East Lansing and becoming a successful booking agent for bands primarily in the Midwest.

He returned to the field of construction in Lansing as a representative for Ingham County Michigan when they underwent three large building projects. He was hired by the architect who built one of those projects and spent the next five years as their Construction Manager. He then spent the next 25 years as Senior Construction Administrator for Kingscott Associates in Kalamazoo, an architectural firm that specialized in building schools.

Upon his retirement he formed his own corporation and became a construction consultant for several small building projects, the first being the Carpentry building on the campus of MSU. He finally found time to pursue his interest in writing. He spent several years being paid by commercial magazines in both the United States and Canada for his articles on construction that reflected the expertise and insight of one who had spent over 30 years on the front lines of building projects.

The last 38 years of his life he resided in the City of DeWitt Michigan where he and his wife Barbara raised two sons. He was elected and enjoyed serving on the DeWitt City Council for one term. He was a voracious reader of nonfiction, but his favorite pastime was any type of do-it-yourself project. He had his own appliance repair “business” when he was 10 years old and the innate ability to fix anything remained with him his entire life much to the joy of his neighbors who relied on him to solve their own fix-it problems or at the very least have the perfect tool to loan them. Throughout his life he displayed an impeccable character and a good heart apparent in the accolades of his neighbors.

He is survived by his spouse, Barbara Hamm (DeWitt, Mi); their son, Eric Potts (Michigan); and siblings, Mary Everett, (Pennsylvania), Andrew Potts (North Carolina) and Mike Potts (California); as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by his former wife, Constance E. Titus and their daughter, Lisa Hresko (Arizona) and son, Paul Morgan Potts (California). He is predeceased by his son, Adam Joseph Potts (2019).

Public visitation will be held February 3, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes DeWitt Chapel, 205 E. Washington St., DeWitt MI. immediately followed by a private family burial.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Paul's memory may be made to the Greater Lansing Food Bank, 5600 Food Ct., Bath Twp., MI 48808.