To a short life very well lived:

Carl Lee McCloud, 53, of Pompano Beach, Florida, passed away in his sleep on June 25, 2022 after a fierce battle with cancer. Carl was born on December 18, 1968, in Grand Rapids, MI.

If a childhood can be held responsible for an adult's perspective on life, Carl's straightforward tenacity was surely a product of starting life in a small town in rural West Michigan, hard work and perseverance directing him from an early age. He was a welcome and cheerful presence at his parents' convenience store in Jamestown, MI, stocking shelves and unloading inventory from his mother's car.

After attending elementary and middle school there, Carl moved with his family north to Newaygo to an idyllic residence on Pickerel Lake. He was known around the lake as someone who sometimes water skied a bit too close to the swim rafts and maybe rode his three-wheeler a little too fast down the dirt roads. But no one could ever question his selflessness in lending a hand to neighbors or giving to others. After graduating from Newaygo High School in 1987, Carl served in the United States Army for four years. Afterward, he continued in his spirit of serving, working for the City of Sparta until he moved to Florida in 1994. It was in Florida that Carl discovered his love for hockey.

As his most beloved passion, Carl cherished his time on the ice, first as a player and later as a coach. Carl touched innumerable lives as a youth hockey coach, leading many teams to the pinnacle of their leagues' seasons, winning multiple championships. He will be sorely missed by players, coaches and parents, his playful yet direct coaching style leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him.

His time with family and friends on visits home was equally treasured and it became an annual ritual for him to spend a good part of the summer on the lake where he grew up. During his trips home in the summer, he developed an affinity for pyrotechnics and was soon orchestrating the fireworks show on the lake for his favorite holiday-the Fourth of July. As with anything he did, he put every bit of himself into the task of entertaining the hundreds of lake residents with a dazzling fireworks display every year.

In his short life, Carl's actions were like a rock thrown into a lake, sending ripples felt by those he served and especially the kids he coached. Persistence, hard work and loyalty were all integral to his inimitable personality and were the very backbone of the character he worked hard to instill in his players. Carl lived intensely, loved fiercely and his infectious enthusiasm will be dearly missed.

Carl is survived by his beloved daughter Raylee McCloud and her mother, Jeanette Blalock, his mother Cheryl McCloud and brothers Chuck McCloud, Dan McCloud and sister Karen Scott. He is preceded in death by his adoptive father James McCloud, his biological father Charles Clark and step mother Sheryl Clark and siblings Randall McCloud and Paula Holub and his dear dogs Harley and Tucker. He is further survived by steadfast and loyal friends, Michael Mann and Jason Althanas.

An informal celebration of life will be held July 2nd on Pickerel Lake starting at noon with family and friends invited. There will be additional services in South Florida, the details of which to be announced later.