Douglas Lee Scholma's Obituary
Douglas Lee Scholma transitioned peacefully into glory on October 7, 2025. Born on March 3, 1952, to Lee and Harriet Scholma of Jenison, MI, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to many. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gay (Grassmid) Scholma; his children, Libby (Kevin) Kuipers, Josh (Laura) Scholma, Leah (Justin) Branam; grandchildren, Nathaniel, Josiah, Naomi, Micah, Mikiah, Ezra, Kevon, Chloe, Fred, and Eloise; brothers, Dave Scholma and Mike Scholma; sisters-in-law, Jill (Greg) Fryling, Gwen (Steve) Lanser; and many nieces and nephews. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered for the multitude of ways he emphasized connecting with people and building community in every part of his life. He enjoyed providing family and friends with fresh produce from his garden and honey from his bees, and his gift of hospitality meant there was always a place at his table and a meal thoughtfully paired with the perfect wine. His laughter, from deep in his belly that sounded like Santa Claus, filled every room he entered. He valued intentional time with his grandchildren, planning special outings and adventures, and was fond of rocking, birding, and traveling with his wife. From fishing trips to the annual Father’s Day fish fry, he found joy in bringing people together. His endless curiosity led him to stacking his shelves with new books, picking up the ukulele, exploring photography, planning international trips, and striking up conversations with strangers who quickly became friends. In recent years, he found great joy in exploring the beauty of the Arizona desert, embracing new experiences, and forming meaningful connections with the people and community he discovered there. Guided by compassion and a deep sense of justice, he was an advocate for those on the margins and carried a steadfast desire to make the world a kinder, fairer place.
FUNERAL SERVICES for Doug will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, October 13, 2025, at Calvary Christian Reformed Church (3500 Byron Center Ave., SW, Wyoming, MI 49519). Visitation with the family will be held from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 12, 2025, at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 620 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417, and one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place at Georgetown Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Food Club https://www.communityfoodclubgr.org/ Humane Borders https://www.humaneborders.org/ or the Lighthouse Community Ministry https://lighthousewy.org
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