Thomas P. Lammers

Positive, strong, and persevering, Thomas Penn Lammers lived a life rich in family and friends. Tom was a great man who was loved by many. He never hesitated to lend a hand and always had a story to share. Genuinely personable and "good-looking," Tom possessed a great sense of humor and an empathetic heart. A man who embodied the principles of his faith, Tom was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend who will long be remembered and so very missed.

1940. With the rearming of US forces, the strains of the Great Depression began to ease. Americans' incomes grew, and their increased spending further fueled the economy. In the US, the optimism of leaving the depression behind inspired the making of several classic movies, including "Gone With the Wind" and the "Great Dictator." At the same time, the invigorating sounds of Benny Goodman and Count Basie's Jazz filled our homes with hope. Newly invented Nylon stockings were all the rage with women, and FDR was elected for an unprecedented third term. Despite the ominous winds of change blowing in from Europe, the foundation of hope and generosity our nation had firmly rooted itself in as a result of the preceding decade's hardships could not be shaken. It was within this overwhelming feeling of fortitude, generosity, and hope that Elmer and Gertrude (Penning) Lammers welcomed their youngest child, Tom, on February 19 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Growing up on Widdicomb, NW, Tom was an enthusiastic child with lots of energy. The youngest of three, Tom attended Harrison Park Elementary and loved to be outdoors. Tom's father owned a photo store, while his mother worked in the offices of Kent County. Tom loved hunting with his uncles and spending time up at Uncle Pete's farm, where he learned to drive the tractor down the road at the age of eight.

After graduating from Union High School with the class of 1957, Tom worked for several businesses, trying to discover what suited him best. He enjoyed cars, fixing them, and making them fast. His favorite was a black and coral 1953 Ford. Tom eventually began working for the Kent County Road Commission.

While cruising the circuit downtown with friends, Tom's life was forever changed when mutual friends introduced him to Judi Johnson. The group met up at the beach, where they roasted hot dogs, and Tom and Judi got to know one another better. The couple dated on and off for nearly ten years, and despite the many challenges Tom and Judi faced in their community because of their different faiths, the couple knew they were destined to build a future together. On August 16, 1968, the couple happily married at Holy Spirit Catholic Church and celebrated their nuptials with a honeymoon to Niagra Falls.

Returning to Grand Rapids, the newlyweds settled into their new life together, and Tom began working for the Velting Construction. In time, they were blessed to welcome their daughter Dede and their son Tom Jr. to their family. The family lived on Longmeadow, NW, before building their forever home on Lamont, NW, in 1972.

At 6'2" and 240 pounds, "Big Tom" or "Big T" was a very hard worker. He was a volunteer fireman for 25 years and retired from the city of Walker in 2000. He enjoyed spending time in his woodworking shop behind the house, where he made a cradle for his first granddaughter and later a rocking horse.

Tom enjoyed the simple things in life, like watching sports with Judi. Whether on TV or in person they always had a good time taking in a baseball, football, or basketball game. They were also NASCAR fans. Tom's favorite driver was Dale Earnhardt, and Judi liked Kyle Busch. Tom bowled on a league and continued to enjoy outdoor adventures, especially hunting and fishing trips to Alaska and Wyoming with friends and his son, Tom. A longtime member of the Steelheaders Association, Tom was passionate about the organization's mission to protect, promote, and enhance sport fishing in the Great Lakes. Tom loved salmon fishing on Lake Michigan and Labor Day's annual trip with family. In 70s, Tom and Judi built a cabin on Sauble Lake, where they spent a lot of family time. Later, in 1998, they purchased a bigger cabin where they loved having grandkids up for Brownie Sunday cruise on the pontoon. He even went to the cabin a few times in winter to ice fish but chose to sell in 2019 when it became too much work.

When Dede was 16 and expressed an interest in attending church, she and Tom would go to worship at Remembrance Church, while Judi returned to her roots at Holy Spirit. Over the years, Tom became very active at Remembrance, helping with set-up and Bible studies.

Tom liked to make dinner a "chef surprise" and always enjoyed a good steak, fish, and wild game. He also liked reading biographies and hunting and fishing magazines. Those who knew him best learned that when he described something as an "Eye-closing experience," it was a sure sign that Tom liked it. While he was grateful to take epic trips to Monaco, Hawaii, and Aruba with Judi, he was easily content to spend time with his family. Tom, the biggest cheerleader for his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids, relished every moment they shared in each other's company.

Though life feels far less certain in the absence of Tom's steadfast companionship, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in carrying Tom's legacy of faith, hope, and love forward. In each moment we confidently face life's hardships, welcome a stranger as a friend, cast our line in local waters, cheer on our favorite teams, encourage our loved one's dreams, and make life an adventure with our beloved, we keep Tom's memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Mr. Thomas P. Lammers, age 84, of Grand Rapids, passed away at home after an extended illness on November 25, 2024. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mary (Dale) Buist and Kay (Rich) DeVoogd, and brother-in-law, Joseph Johnson. Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Judith; children, Dede (Mike) Wielhouwer and Tom (Barby) Lammers Jr.; grandchildren, Grace (Steven) Reyes, Cassie, Joshua, and Caleb Wielhouwer; and great-grandchildren, Elianna, Jayden, and Trey Reyes. Also surviving are his brother-in-law, John (Pat) Johnson; sisters-in-law, Janice (Greg) LaVigne and Lisa (Norm Clark) Walker Johnson; and special nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, at Remembrance Church, 4575 Remembrance Rd NW. The family will receive visitors at church from 9-11 AM on Wednesday. Contributions in his memory may be made to the charity of one's choice. Celebrate Tom's life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on his dedicated webpage at www.heritagelifestory.com