Myron "Mike" Van Oort

There are some people who live their lives everyday just seeming to go through the motions, their days fading away as with the ebb and flow of the tide. Then there are people who like a colorful rainbow, splash color throughout the world they live in. Myron “Mike” Van Oort was an extraordinary man who made a profound impact on the world and all those that were blessed to have been placed in his path. Mike was generous and selfless, setting aside his own wants and needs to focus on others instead.

The 1920’s are commonly referred to as the “Roaring Twenties” with the introduction of speakeasies and the explosion of jazz. The world of baseball was forever changed as well as Babe Ruth made baseball popular in the 1920’s by making it exciting; he hit more home runs than anyone did in prior history. Henry and Jennie (Stienfort) Van Oort, of Holland, Michigan were looking forward to their own exciting time as well; as Jennie was due to give birth to their third child at any time. They were indeed blessed on March 30, 1928 with the healthy birth of their son, Myron Jay. Mike, as he was called joined both an older sister and brother in the Van Oort family and he grew up in the family home located in Holland.

As a student Mike attended Holland Public Schools and in high school he became a star athlete. He played basketball, but his true passion was for baseball and it was his true calling as well. Mike even received an invitation to try out for the New York Yankees while he was still in high school and although he wasn’t able to make the cut, he caused quite the stir as he almost lost his amateur status as a result of his pursuit. Also of great significance during these years, was his introduction to a delightful young cheerleader from his school named Dolores “Doddy” Visschers. The pair dated for a time, extending after Mike’s graduation from Holland High School, in 1946. They had soon fallen deeply in love and they were later married in 1947. This union marked the beginning of a new chapter in a love story which would span more than 50 years.

The newlyweds settled in the Holland area where they would spend their entire lifetimes. Mike found employment with Hart & Cooley, a manufacturer in Holland that produces a variety of warm-air products to customers nationwide. Mike was dedicated to his job and he worked at Hart & Cooley for 51 years before he retired at the age of 70. Mike’s career allowed him to support his family which had grown to include two daughters, Shelley and Claudia. Mike was a devoted family man who always made his wife and children his main priority.

Baseball was never far from Mike’s radar screen and his passion for playing remained strong for many years as well. He was a member of the Flying Dutchmen, a semi-pro baseball team that was established in Holland during the 1960’s. This team was later honored at a Whitecaps Baseball game in Grand Rapids, in 2001.

Mike fostered a spirit of generosity and it was of great importance to him that he gave back to the community that he loved. He was a lifelong resident of the Holland area, relocating to West Olive, located just north of Holland, in 1973. Holland was settled in 1847 by Dutch Calvinist separatists who were escaping persecution in the Netherlands. This Dutch heritage remains strong in Holland even today and Mike was an active participant in keeping this heritage alive in a tangible way. He was instrumental in making the arrangements for the shipping of Holland’s Windmill from the Netherlands to Holland where it is still proudly displayed. The city of Holland wanted to return the gesture to the Netherlands and Mike arranged to ship a Malibu convertible to the man who supervised the construction of the windmill. That same year, Mike was honored for his efforts when he was named as the Grand Marshall in the Tulip Time Parade.

In addition to baseball, there were other activities and interests that brought Mike joy and fulfillment as well. He loved to travel and together he and Doddy visited many locations within the United States and they even considered retiring to Arizona for some time. Mike possessed a great sense of humor and he loved telling jokes. He loved to dance; it didn’t matter what kind of music was playing and he was famous for dragging his grandchildren to dance with him at weddings. Golf was a substantial part of Mike’s life, second only to baseball, and he headed out to enjoy a leisurely game of golf as often as he could.

Mike Van Oort was a vivacious man with an immeasurable zest for life who viewed his family as his greatest accomplishment. He made the most of each day he was given and lived each day with others in mind. Mike left a profound impact in the community he called home and he brightened the days of those around him just by being who he was each and every day. Whether he was running the bases, traveling the country, or burning up the dance floor, Mike carried himself with integrity, generosity, and compassion. He was a beloved brother, uncle, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend who will be deeply missed.

Myron “Mike” Van Oort formerly of West Olive died on April 14, 2009. Mike’s family includes his daughters, Shelley (Dave) Tippett, of West Olive, and Claudia Simmons, of Holland; grandchildren, Holly (Toby) Jacobson, of West Olive, Tonya Solis and Aaron (Veva) Solis of Holland; great grandchildren, Taleah, Trevan, Parker, Viviana, Tyrese, Garrett, Michael and Brianna; sisters-in-law, Kathy (John )Den Uyl, of Allegan, Joan Haight, of Holland, and Nikki Haight, of Trout Lake, MI; niece, Jennifer (Rick) DeVries of Zeeland; and nephews, Jim Den Uyl, of Grand Rapids, Jerry (Ellen) Van Noord, of Northville, and Rodney (Cathy) Van Noord, of Holland. He is also survived by a special friend, Maryann McElmurray. Mike was preceded in death by his wife, Delores and by his grandson, Rusty. Funeral services will be private. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visit with Mike’s family and friends on Friday from 7-9 p.m., at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes – Northwood Chapel – Holland, MI, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or photo or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland or to the Alzheimer’s Association.