R. George DeVries' Obituary
R. George DeVries was born in Detroit, MI on March 17, 1938. He recently passed away on April 27, 2021. His parents, Genevieve and Raymond DeVries born in Washington, MI, lived in Michigan until 1948 when they moved to Lowell, MI just east of Grand Rapids. George graduated from Lowell High School in 1956. At Lowell High School, he was president of his Junior and Senior classes. In High school, he won numerous regional tennis championships and was a state finalist as a Senior. He also represented the state of Michigan in a Junior Davis Cup. Also, during his senior year, he scored 40 points in a basketball game, a record that stood for many years. After spending a semester at Western Michigan University, he transferred to Alma College in Michigan where he was president of his fraternity. At Alma, he played Varsity Basketball and Tennis. As a Senior he won the MIAA singles championship and was awarded the Dr. Allen B Stowe Sportsmanship trophy. He is in the Alma College Hall of Fame. George received his bachelor’s degree from Alma College in 1961, a master’s degree from Western Michigan University and a graduate CLU degree from Bryn Mawr College in Bryn Mawr, PA. He taught and coached at Spring Lake High School until 1974 when he pursued a long career with the Northwestern Mutual Financial Services Company of Milwaukee, WI. He was inducted into the Spring Lake Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. George was a member of Spring Lake Country Club and President from 1992 to 1994. He resigned as a member after 50 years. He also was a member of Venice Golf and Country Club from 1995 until 2021. Beverly, George’s wife of almost 52 years pre-deceased him in May of 2014. While alive, Bev and George enjoyed and shared golf, Tennis, cooking, and visiting major cities. George is survived by daughter, Patricia (Trisha) Kay Larsen, son in law, Scott Larsen; Grandchildren, Ryan Larsen, Georgeanne Green (Jeremy Green) and Rebecca Larsen and, great grandchild, Charlie Rae Green. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, May 7, 2021, at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Rev. David Gross as celebrant. Interment will be in Spring Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials to Gracious Grounds or Spring Lake Athletics - Hall of Fame are appreciated. Arrangements by The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456
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