Thomas VanDyk

Thomas VanDyk lived his life in faith in his Lord and Savior, and it showed in his love for others. Generous, kind, and resourceful, Tom never hesitated to lend his time and talents in the service of his community. He was an intelligent man who worked hard and cared deeply. Whether cheering on his loved ones' endeavors, providing his clients with excellent service, volunteering at church, or helping create valuable connections between people he knew, Tom always led with his heart. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, colleague, and friend, Tom will long be remembered and missed by those he so dearly loved.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1938 held much to celebrate, including the end of the Great Depression, Seabiscuit's historic win, and Superman's first appearance. As the U.S. actively armed up for war, families continued to center their lives on love and hope for a brighter future. Nowhere was that hope more evident than in the hearts and home of Thomas Richard and Dorothy (Moerman) VanDyk Sr. as they welcomed their son Thomas Jr. to their family on March 6 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The oldest of five, Tom grew up west of Grand Rapids in the good company of his three younger brothers and sister and was very responsible. Tom worked a paper route and collected stamps. When the family lived on Baumhoff and had horses, he helped tend to their needs.

He attended Walker Station for school, and then, when it was time for high school, he attended Coopersville High School because it offered the classes he was interested in pursuing. A bit entrepreneurial, Tom secured a permit to drive earlier than the standard age and arranged to pick up a few other students on the way to help cover his fuel costs. He also worked at Jakolat's Gas Station on Remembrance Road.

After graduating, Tom began working in the permit department at the Kent County Road Commission. It didn't take long for a young woman working there as a co-op student through high school, who delivered the mail, to catch his eye. Her name was Lois Decker. As Tom was rather bashful, his friend in the office arranged a night for Tom and Lois to join him and his wife for the evening. The following weekend, the four spent a full day in Detroit, going to the zoo and Cascade Falls in Jackson.

The two dates were enough to start things, and the couple married a few years later, on August 8, 1959, in a small ceremony in the basement of Remembrance Reformed Church, because the main floor was still being built. The newlyweds celebrated their nuptials with a honeymoon at Niagara Falls before settling into their home on Fennessey Lake, where Tom took care of the cherry orchard.

In time, Tom and Lois were blessed to become parents when they welcomed their son Jack. Debbie soon followed, and the couple moved to their longtime home on Bristol Ave., where they welcomed two more children, Sherry and Todd. Tom proudly attended his kids' events whenever possible, and the family enjoyed camping each summer. They started their adventures in their camper with friends on the Manistee River and at Cranhill Ranch. Eventually, they upgraded to a motorhome and enjoyed a trip to the Smoky Mountains and Gatlinburg each spring.

Remembrance Church played a significant role in Tom and Lois' lives. The valuable teaching and fellowship were amplified by the lovely people they were surrounded by. One of those people saw something special in Tom and suggested that he would be a good insurance agent. With a desire to provide well for his family, Tom recognized that with a career in insurance, God would allow him to do just that. Tom took the leap and started studying to earn his license. He also took a Dale Carnegie class, which significantly changed his life, giving him the confidence and tools to communicate effectively with people.

Tom started his career with Farm Bureau Insurance before working for Underwriting Systems. In the early days of his career, Tom made numerous trips to houses selling insurance, and although it took a lot of time, he made an effort to keep his faith and family as his top priorities. Then, in 1982, he and Russ Olivier co-founded their own agency - Olivier-VanDyk Insurance Agency, where he worked until he retired.

After the kids were grown, Tom and Lois bought a cottage on Townline Lake, which started as a weekend getaway but later became a summer home for them. Just as important, it evolved into a place where their grown children and grandchildren would visit each summer and spend time creating cherished memories together. For a few years, Tom also arranged for the family to be together each year at Cedar Point.

In addition to his family and career, Tom was an active member of his community. He was always involved in church, serving as elder, deacon, committee member, and lending his help and care for his church family. He knew many people and had a gift for connecting those with needs with those who could provide solutions. He also served on the local school board for several years.

Over the years, Tom and Lois enjoyed a great deal of traveling. Gatlinburg remained a favorite place they visited several times each year, and he earned many incentive trips that brought them to places all over the world. He enjoyed going to new places.

After retiring, Tom continued to be a people person - naturally connecting with others. Business was never far from his mind, and he remained sharp, handing out referrals whenever appropriate. Over the last years, he had some health struggles which became more pronounced in his final few months, and he passed away in the comforts of his home.

As we celebrate Tom's life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying Tom's legacy of faith, hope, and love forward. In each moment we choose to welcome the day as a gift, confidently face life's challenges, creatively solve problems, skillfully support others, give thanks for our many blessings, and explore the world with our beloved, we keep Tom's memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Thomas VanDyk Jr., age 87 of Grand Rapids, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on September 16, 2025.

Tom is survived by his wife, Lois; their children: Jack & Sue VanDyk, Debbie & John McQueen, Sherry & George Phillips, Todd & Deborah VanDyk; 15 Grandchildren and 19 Great-grandchildren; Sister, Janice Goldthorpe; Brother, David (Judi) VanDyk; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in, as well as several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Roger and Dale, and by 2 grandchildren.

The service to remember and celebrate Tom's life will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 11 AM at Little Farms Chapel in Coopersville. Friends and family are invited to visit with his family on Friday from 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive, and on Saturday at the church from 10 AM until the service begins. Interment to follow in Washington Park Memorial Gardens.

To read more about Tom, to share a memory or photo, or to sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com