David Elmer “Bo” Rather was called home to be with the Lord the morning of April 3, 2018. He was surrounded by his loving wife, Ann, and family and close friends in his home.

Bo was born in Sandusky, OH on October 7, 1950 into the family of Ajaish and Mary Alice (Hollowell) Rather. He was twin to his sister Deborah Louise (William) Rather-Grubbs. His older siblings were Sisters Marian, Patty, Betty and Brother Donald. He was proceeded in death by his mother, Mary Alice; father, Ajaish; older sisters Marian, Patty and Betty and daughter, Candice Rather.

He is survived by his wife, Ann Rather of Battle Creek, MI,; sons, David, (Michelle) Rather, Jr. of Atlanta, GA and Gerrard (Molly) Williams of Kalamazoo, MI; daughter, Yolanda Williams of Chicago, IL; brother, Donald Rather, Phoenix, AZ and twin sister, Deborah Rather-Grubbs of Rahway, NJ.

His lifelong extended families, who will also cherish his memory, are Reverend and Mrs. Thomas Darden of Sandusky, OH; their son and Bo’s best friend, Thomas V. (Melissa) Darden of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. More extended family include Bo’s brother-in-law, Ronald Bursley and sister-in-law, Susan Nelson and special friends Jodie (Raphael) Hernandez and Pete Daniels, who he called daughter and son respectively- all of Battle Creek, MI, and faithful friend, Jamie (Judy) Greary of Richland, MI. Last, but certainly not least, is Bo’s dog and friend, Snuggles.

Bo demonstrated tremendous athletic skills as young as seven years old when he participated in organized baseball and through high school where he excelled at football, basketball and track. He accepted a football scholarship and enrolled in University of Michigan in 1969 where he played football and graduated with a BS in Communications in 1973. That same year, he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins and was a Superbowl VIII Champion. He was traded to the Chicago Bears in 1974 then traded back to the Miami Dolphins where he secured a second Superbowl ring and retired from football in 1978.

He lived in Chicago and worked for Sears Roebuck & Co until he relocated and joined Ralston Foods Company in Battle Creek, MI in1985. He worked as a supervisor there until his retirement in 2009. After retirement, he developed a passion for gardening and writing poetry. His flower gardens were recognized by the Battle Creek Garden Tour.

He and his wife, Ann, attended Overflow Ministries and were active in various ministries, particularly music. Bo specialized in audio recordings for various programs.

A private ceremony for the immediate family is scheduled. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made in Bo’s name to Overflow Ministries of Battle Creek, Mi and Motts Children’s Hospital, a unit within University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI.