Clarence J. Maat

A man who loved life and admired all of God's creations, Clarence Jack Maat lived a rich life marked by faith, family, and adventure. A man who embodied the principles of his faith, Clarence led with his heart in all things, modeling integrity and honor in every step he took. During his nearly 98 years, Clarence was always reading and sharpening his mind on current events, history, traveling, and many other subjects. He loved to converse or debate with friends and family on a variety of subjects, always looking to improve his thinking skills and discernment about the world and people around him. A man of his word, Clarence's steadfast care and unwavering dedication to his family and community inspired all who were blessed to know him.

1928 continued to ride the decade's roaring wave of peace, prosperity, and hope. The nation celebrated the recent inventions of Penicillin, the iron lung, bubble gum, and the Yo-Yo, as well as Charles Lindbergh receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor and Amelia Earhart becoming the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic. As the wave of sweeping social and economic growth rapidly increased, nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the hearts and home of Martin and Alice (Wynsma) Maat as they welcomed their youngest child, Clarence, to their family on July 3, 1928, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Growing up on Pine Street, Clarence enjoyed a pleasant childhood despite the challenges of the Great Depression. Immigrants from the Netherlands, Clarence's parents provided a loving, faith-filled home for their children. His father was a woodworker at a furniture factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan, when GR was the furniture capital of the US, and his mother devoted herself to caring for the household and their busy boys.

A bit of a handful for his mother and father, Clarence was known to disappear for whole days, adventuring around the city, but mostly near home at Richmond Park, where he and his older brothers Gerald and Marvin spent many hours. Clarence enjoyed skating, tobogganing, and participating in sporting events at Richmond Park, where he excelled as a swimmer and diver, winning awards in both.

His family considered themselves rich because of their faith and community life at West Side Christian School and Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church.

Clarence attended the Pine Street campus of West Side Christian School through eighth grade. After completing his freshman year at Davis Tech, which closed, he transferred to Christian High for a year before finishing his final two years at Union High School. A natural athlete, Clarence loved most sports. Somewhat of a key player on Union's football team, Clarence also excelled at track and field. During these years, Clarence also made many lifelong friends.

After high school, Clarence enlisted in the US Marine Corps as the war was coming to an end. During his two years of service, he was well respected by his superiors and fellow Marines. Upon being promoted to Corporal, Clarence was asked to stay on by his superior officers, who recognized his passion and great leadership skills. Always looking out for folks who might need a friend or help along the way, Clarence took a couple of men under his wing personally as they were susceptible to not fitting in. Asserting himself as their personal guard, Clarence ensured they were neither harassed nor harmed.

After his time in the Marines, Clarence and a buddy went on an adventure across the country to California, working along the way to pay for their travels. Once they arrived in California, Clarence helped an uncle with his business so that his uncle could travel to visit relatives in Grand Rapids. Following this grand adventure, Clarence changed jobs often, seeking experiences and ways to improve himself and learn new things—his passion —and to become a jack of all trades.

While working at Kelvinator, Clarence had the good fortune of meeting his coworker and future wife, Lucille Sloboda. The couple hit it off right away and married after a short courtship on April 10, 1953, at Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, officially beginning their 66-year adventure.

The happy couple honeymooned in the Smoky Mountains and made many memories in several states south of Michigan. Kentucky and exploring the Mammoth Caves were the highlights of the trip. The newlyweds rented an apartment on Ariana NW before making their home at 1037 Jennette, where they were blessed to welcome their four children to their family.

Dennis, Phyllis, Janice, and Raymond were the centers of Clarence and Lucille's worlds, and they worked hard to be good, faithful parents. They raised their children with a foundation of faith, stability, wisdom, and support. Instilling a great sense of right and wrong, family was always first for Clarence. Using his wealth of knowledge and skills, Clarence, with his dad and brothers' help, participated in the work of building a new home on Kinney Avenue. The family enjoyed close relationships with Clarence's siblings and their families, emphasizing strong family life. They had 18 wonderful grandchildren: Stephanie (Maat) Sweeney, Jason, Lindsay (Maat) Liefers, and Eric; Paul, Mike, Nick, Hannah, Ramon, Deja, and Nani Cegelis; Corey, Paige and Taylor Gillman; and Samantha (Maat) Modderman, Christian, Alex and Kirk.

When the kids were still at home, the family enjoyed traveling throughout Michigan, to Cedar Point, and out west to Yellowstone, via their 1966 Ford Galaxy and a homemade pop-up camper. Several pieces of art and pewter Indian figurines were acquired along the way. Whether exploring the country, reading, watching and playing sports, or working on a project at home, Clarence led by example. A lifelong learner, he enjoyed reading any history, adventure novels, classics, travel, political, spiritual, and world geography. As an adult, he played volleyball, softball, golf, bowled, and enjoyed water sports, too. He also became adept at simple car maintenance, which helped keep expenses down by assisting his entire family with their vehicles over many years. Clarence also enjoyed listening to Mario Lanza, the classic tunes from the 40s and 50s, and hymns in the church. He and his family attended his childhood church Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed (later Westend CRC).

Clarence worked in many different jobs, continuing to develop additional skills. For a time, he worked at Roskam Bakery and Model Linen settling into a 30-year career as a truck driver for a linen supply company. Before retiring at the age of 62, Clarence served as president of Local Union 406 during his last two years working. Clarence and a few buddies ran against the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer of Local 406. They won quite easily as they truly represented the working men and women in the union. As president, he organized the cleanup of the inner workings and the outer operations of Local Union 406. He was well respected for his efforts.

Always willing to serve his community, Clarence was also a Sunday school teacher and a deacon. He and Lucy raised their family in the Christian faith, sending their children to Christian school to provide a solid, biblical foundation. They also shared regular church attendance and activities with family and fellow believers. In his final years, Clarence spoke of his thankfulness that each of their children embraced faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and married spouses who shared this same faith.

In retirement, Clarence and Lucy enjoyed traveling extensively with friends and eating out at their favorite local restaurants. Over the years, they made wonderful memories in wonderful places, including Hawaii, Cancun, Florida, and the East and West Coasts, and everywhere in between. His favorite foods included raisin bread, peanut butter, sliced Colby cheese, sweet pickle sandwiches, and creamed herring. He and Lucy loved dining out with many friends in their retirement years.

As we celebrate Clarence's wonderful life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying his legacy forward. In each moment we lead with our hearts, choose faith over fear, say "Yes!" to adventure, seek knowledge, share a hearty conversation, confidently face life's challenges, celebrate life's joys, and take to the dance floor or explore the world with our beloved, we keep Clarence's memory alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.