Gordon De Vries

“Coming home, coming home. Never more to roam, open wide your arms of love, Lord I’m coming home.”

Gord DeVries was born December 27, 1917, weighing 11 pounds, 12 ounces. He was the 2nd child born to Bert and Fannie DeVries.

Gord’s first years of school were spent in the West Crisp School, and then he transferred to the Harlem School. He had to walk 1 ¾ miles to and from school every day. During his elementary school years, his love for woodworking began. His first wood-turning lathe was run by a pedal sewing machine base. He used this lathe as a means of his first money making project – turning out baseball bats for the local baseball teams at a whopping price of 35 cents per bat.

Gordon’s higher education consisted of 2 years at Holland High School and his Junior and Senior years were at Hope Prep High school – a school run by Hope College, a place where students could practice teaching. He rode his bike or walked 6 ½ miles each way so that he could complete his education. During Gord’s high school years he earned money by shoveling coal out of freight cars for 15 cents a ton, picking strawberries for a penny a quart, or working in the fields for 10 cents an hour. He graduated from Hope High School in 1935 as class valedictorian.

After high school, he worked delivering groceries through the country for a local grocer and was paid 7 dollars for 5 days work. He earned so much money doing this that he was able to buy his first car – a 1923 Ford for $15.

Gordon noticed Elsie Renkema at a school play. They had their first date on May 7, 1935 and fell in love. They courted for almost 4 years and married on October 4, 1939. Shortly after they were married, Gordon built their first home in Pine Creek for a cost of $2350. He did most of the work himself, except for the plumbing and electrical.

While the world’s attention was toward World War II, Gordon and Elsie’s family grew to a family of 3 children – 2 boys and 1 girl: Bob, Joan and Jim. To support this growing family, Gordon worked at Precision Parts (Bohn Aluminum), Holland Furniture and Baker Furniture. At this time they moved their address to Maple Ave. in Holland so that the children could walk to Christian school. In 6 years, they moved back to the North side of Holland. After the war, 3 more children arrived - 2 more girls and another son: Lenora, Dave and Sally. Gord eventually went to work at Herman Miller and in 1954, he began to sell life insurance at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, from which he retired after 20 years.

Gord’s love for woodworking was always a big part of his life. Wherever he lived, he was always in his shop turning out lamps and furniture and grandfather clocks, which he made for each of his children, his wife Elsie and others.

In 1969, Gord and Elsie sold their home on Holland’s north side along with most of their belongings and moved to Lake Worth, Florida. After some medical problems in 1972, the doctors advised him not to work for a few months. He used this time of his life to return to college. At the age of 53, he attended Reformed Bible College for a semester then returned to Florida to complete his career with Metropolitan Life.

Gordon was a dedicated husband and father. But equally important was his faith in God. He would regularly be found reading the Bible on his own or joining with others in Bible Study. He lived out his love for God wherever he was needed, whether as church elder or Sunday School teacher.

In 1976, Elsie was diagnosed with Leukemia so they moved back to Holland for medical care and to be close to family. Defying doctor’s expectations, Elsie’s Leukemia went into remission and they devoted many years to a life of service. Together they served at CRWRC, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi, as house parents in My Brother’s House in Holland, and Bibles for Mexico.

Also during that time, they enjoyed worldwide travel to Europe, Israel, Canada, Mexico and most parts of the United States. They traveled by train, plane, RV and car. And Gordon’s other passion for woodworking continued to thrive.

His life’s partner, Elsie died in September 24, 1999.

Shortly afterwards, Gordon attended grievance classes and met Charlotte VanDam. The love and companionship grew. When Gord was 83, Charlotte and Gordon were married on September 30, 2000 and his family grew by adding Charlotte’s family. During this time, Gord continued to work at Bibles for Mexico and was actively involved in Oakland CRC.

In January of 2003, Gordon took Charlotte and all of his children, along with their spouses on a 10-day cruise to the Panama Canal.

After a short hospitalization, Gordon answered the call to “come home” on September 4, 2008.

Gordon Franklin De Vries, age 90, of Zeeland was called to his heavenly home on Thursday September 4, 2008. Gordon was a charter member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church and served as both an elder and a deacon and is a current member of Oakland Christian Reformed Church.

Gordon was preceded in death by his first wife Elsie De Vries in 1999, his son Robert De Vries in 1995, his sister, Gertrude Waterway, and his brother Bernard De Vries.

He is survived by his wife Charlotte Van Dam De Vries of Zeeland; his children, Carol DeVries of Holland, Joan and Harold Overweg of Zeeland, Jim and Mary De Vries of Scottsdale, AZ, Lenora and Jack Bell of Oakland, David and Diana De Vries of Hudsonville, and Sally and Mark Van Ess of Hudsonville; thirteen grandchildren; eighteen great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; his stepchildren, Gloria Boerman of Zeeland, Ron and Bonnie Van Dam of Zeeland, Carl and Beth Van Dam of Zeeland, Jan Telgenhof of Flint, and Howard and Cathy Van Dam of Newaygo; thirteen step grandchildren; twenty-two step great grandchildren; his brother, Mike De Vries of Holland, his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Alma and Ray Tubergen, Marian Bosma, Clarence and Jeanette Renkema, Jane and Ken Knoll, Marvin and Helen Renkema, and Arlene Renkema.

Funeral services will be held on Monday September 8, 2008 at 11:00am at Oakland Christian Reformed Church, 4460 38th Street, Hamilton with Rev. Ronald D. De Young officiating.

Visitation will be held on Sunday from 3-5pm at the Dykstra Lifestory Funeral Homes, Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Avenue and one hour prior to the service on Monday at Oakland Christian Reformed Church.

Burial will take place in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.

Please visit Gordon’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guest book. Memorial contributions may be given to Bibles for Mexico or the Bible League.

Arrangements by Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, Inc., Northwood Chapel, www.lifestorynet.com