Jay Vander Ark

Jay Vander Ark was a kind-hearted Christian man who enjoyed the simple things in life. Whether he was playing his guitar, rabbit hunting in the Upper Peninsula, or just spending time with his family, Jay was happy and friendly.

In 1930 times were tough for many families in the United States. As unemployment levels rose American spirits dropped; however, for one small family in Grand Rapids, Michigan there was still something to be happy about; on March 30, 1930 the Vander Ark family grew to include a new son, Jay Vander Ark, making him the family’s only boy.

Growing up Jay spent his early childhood in the city of Grand Rapids where he attended West Side Christian School. When Jay was a young boy, the Vander Ark family left life in the big city of Grand Rapids to move up North to the secluded city of Cadillac, Michigan. While in Cadillac, Jay was able to continue his education first in Cadillac Public School and later in a Christian school located in a neighboring town of McBain. During his school career Jay was more interested in stirring up fun with friends than engaging in academic pursuits. While living in Cadillac, Jay had a faithful dog Tippy. Tippy went everywhere with Jay, even following him to church and sitting under the bench during the service. When Jay grew into a young man the Vander Ark family retuned to Grand Rapids where Jay graduated from West Side Christian School. Jay went on to Union High School for two years. Still not enjoying academics Jay longed for adventure and life in the country. Following the call of the West, Jay went to visit relatives in Montana. He found work on a ranch. As a ranch-hand he was able to drive cattle across country. The ranch was so beautiful that it seems Jay was not the only person who was drawn to it. Years later Ted Turner purchased the ranch to use as a personal retreat. Although Jay loved “Big Sky” country, he realized that his home was always in Grand Rapids, so Jay returned to work in construction as a general contractor with his late father, Peter.

It was while in Grand Rapids that Jay met and fell in love with Marie, the woman whom he would share his life with for fifty-three years. It wasn’t long after the couple took their vows that they started a family. In order to support the family Jay worked at several jobs. He founded Pheasant Hills Construction Company where he took pride in being able to build sixty-four churches. He also was a sales representative for Weyerhausr Corporation where he sold wooden beams. During this time he furthered his education by attending the Chicago Institute. He took classes in construction and architecture. After closing Pheasant Hills Jay worked for Elmridge Construction Company as a foreman until he retired in 1992. He was able to use his construction skills in service projects. He built a store for Appalachia Reach Out in Inez, KY where he served as a board member.

When Jay was not at work he loved pursuing the hobbies which brought him countless hours of enjoyment. A talented musician, Jay’s children, and later his grandchildren, loved to listen to him play his prized guitar and sing beloved old time ballads and gospel songs. As was apparent from the time that Jay was a young man, he also loved spending time outdoors and relished the annual rabbit hunting trips he and his cousin Bill “Oz” Woolpert would take to the Upper Peninsula. Jay enjoyed the open spaces of the UP and particularly enjoyed spending time in the cedar swamps of the UP where he was able to snowshoe rabbit hunt. An outdoorsmen by nature, Jay enjoyed all sorts of hunting and was never without one of the trusty beagles that he raised for sport. Whenever he had the opportunity, Jay would load up his truck (he never traveled by plane) and head to South Dakota to hunt pheasants. Jay also loved spending time on the water, especially with his 32 foot Trojan. He captained his boat so well, in fact, that he later taught charting for the Grand Rapids Power Squadron of which he was a member. If Jay wasn’t on the water you could bet that he was probably traveling to get there! One of Jay’s favorite memories was the time he traveled on horseback from Lake Huron to Lake Michigan. If he couldn’t be on a lake, then Jay was content to swim in his own back yard in the in-ground pool he built himself. Long after the kids were gone, Jay kept the pool open for his grandkids even when he began spending his time up in Ellsworth. Although Jay traveled a lot in his lifetime, his favorite place was always Ellsworth, Michigan, where the family had a trailer in the Wooden Shoe Park. He enjoyed all of the time he was able to spend up there whether he was visiting with relatives, friends, or just relaxing.

As the years passed Jay's family became more special to him. In fact, he regarded his happiest day as the day his grandson Levi was born and Jay could rest assured that the Vander Ark family name would be carried on. If Jay was not with his traditional family, then Jay was in the company of his church family. Jay was a Christian man who lived out his faith in everything he did. Although Jay was often quiet about his religious beliefs, as his health began to fail in his final months, he realized the importance of sharing his faith with others. While he was at Kent Community Hospital he began to testify to all who would listen.

On Tuesday January 20, 2004 Jay passed away peacefully at his home and left to join his Lord and Savior. Jay was preceded in death by his father, Peter. Surviving are Marie, his wife of 53 years; his children Cheryl and Jim Buist, Pam and Mike Westhouse, Wendy Bitely, Ann and Robert Vander Laan, Kimberly Vander Ark, Ken and Julie Vander Ark; 18 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren; his mother Helen Vander Ark, sisters and brothers-in-law Joyce and John Valk, Helengene and Cliff Doornbos, Peter Teitsma and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Mr. Vander Ark will be held Friday at 1PM at the Westview Christian Reformed Church, 2929 Leonard NW with Roger Groenboom officiating. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Friends may meet the family on Wednesday from 7-9PM and on Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9PM at the Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W. To read Jay’s full life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland Home, 2100 Raybrook SE, Suite 303, 49546-5783, please visit Jay’s personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com

Jay will be remembered by all who knew him as a friendly non-judgmental man who was able to accept everyone, befriending many. He was able to "jerry-rig" anything that needed fixing. Jay also was able to endure much physical pain in his lifetime without complaint. Jay and Marie raised their family in Westview Church where they were members for 40 years.