Jack Richard Kroeze's Obituary
Jack’s life revolved around his active lifestyle. He enjoyed the outdoors and many activities. As a kid, his Dad took the family on a pheasant hunt to South Dakota and that began his love of hunting. Brother George had a big influence on this and they enjoyed many hunts together. He purchased a sport motorcycle soon after he married Ruth and used it for work as well as play. He designed and helped to build their first home in 1965; and together they enjoyed this home for many years. The design was perfect for their lives and the girls had many happy times at the house. To get in shape for an elk hunting trip, Jack took up jogging and would run after dark in the neighborhood so others wouldn’t see how slow he was. Later he and Ruth help to organize a local running club which still puts on two local races a year for local charities. Jack has been an active runner logging 35,000 miles and a bicyclist logging 70,000 miles. His last race was September 22, 2012, when he completed a 5 mile dunes run.
Jack and Ruth both loved to travel. She would organize and navigate and he was the driver. Every Spring Break and Summer Vacation was spent in the great outdoors, camping and enjoying nature. When the grandsons came along, they became a part of this great outdoor adventure.
When daughter Julie went to be with our Lord in 1982, the perfect family was shattered and a new family began. Soon came a son-in-law and two wonderful grandsons to enjoy God’s beautiful creation with; and fill the house with laughter.
After retirement in 1996-97, Jack and Ruth took to doing many travels on their bucket list. The first was a much thought about visit to the National Parks of Kenya and Tanzania and all the herds of animals. It was the trip of a lifetime and remained his favorite. Other travels took them to all of the 50 states, Australia, New Zeeland, Europe, and a winter-wonderland trip to Yellowstone and Yosemite. He enjoyed both Florida and Arizona so they began alternating years between them. This was the time for packing on the mileage in the running and biking. Many great friendships developed in both places.
He became a lighthouse keeper with Ruth as they worked a week or two a summer being guides at the Sable Points Lighthouses on Lake Michigan. He enjoyed being “up at the top” seeing the view and explaining all about the operation of the lights.
He was anticipating more of an active life in Florida this season, but then the mesothelioma that had been apparently dormant for decades started it ravaging of his body. Along this short journey, we were all able to see just how much his life affected so many others. We thank God for a life well lived and for the love we shared along the way. Now we must live our lives keeping the memories alive and when in God’s good timing, it becomes our time, we go to him and our Lord.
He will be dearly missed by his wife of 54 years, Ruth; his daughter Laurie and husband Dale Lubbers; and grandsons, Adam and Jacob Lubbers. In addition he leaves his sister, Barbara (Bob) Reed of New Era; sister-in-law Jean (Doug) Vanderlaan of Holland; sisters-in-law, Jenny Kroeze of Fremont and Virginia Zuidema of Grand Rapids along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends here in town, Florida and Arizona.
SERVICES will be held 11:00 AM Monday, December 3, 2012, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 6291 S. Harvey Street, Norton Shores, MI 49444, 231-798-1100, with Pastor Robert Bierenga officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Cemetery. VISITATION with Jack’s family will be 3:00 -7:00 PM Sunday. For a more lasting memorial you are asked to consider Allen Avenue Cadet Boys Club, Muskegon Christian School Education Foundation, WMCHS Education Foundation or the caringbridge.org website.
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