Jim Compere

In Loving Memory of James Curtis Compere

March 7, 1958 – August 20, 2025

James Curtis Compere, age 67, entered into the presence of His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on August 20, 2025. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, on March 7, 1958, Jim was the son of John and Jean Compere.

At age 21, after a car accident, he turned from his sins and trusted in Christ as his Lord and Savior. This decision shaped every aspect of his life. He devoted himself to following Christ faithfully for almost five decades, seeking to serve others with humility and love. He especially loved to talk with anyone and everyone about Jesus. Jim has most recently attended two churches: the Zotung Christian Church of Grand Rapids, MI and the Zion Chapel in Holland, MI.

Jim was known for his steady faith, passionate zeal, and servant’s heart. In his vocation as a forklift driver, he not only had a reputation for being a hardworking, reliable employee but also sought to be a witness for Christ in word and deed before His coworkers.

Jim loved the Scriptures because he loved his Savior and would spend much of his free time reading and meditating on God’s Word. He also relished reading and listening to sermons. Jim believed that God hears and answers prayer and so he was earnest about prayer both when alone as well as when with others. He believed and often quoted Hebrews 12:1-2: “1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

He is survived by his older sister, Randi and her husband Peter, as well as his younger brother Thomas and his wife Beverly. He is preceded in death by his parents. Jim never married.

Though we grieve his loss, we rejoice that he has finished his race trusting firmly in Christ and now beholds the glory of Christ face to face. His life is a testimony to God’s grace, and his memory will continue to encourage all who knew him to seek the Lord and walk faithfully with Him until the day of Christ’s return. A private family graveside service has been scheduled but a public memorial service will be held at the Zotung Christian Church of Grand Rapids, (1961 Leonard St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505), on Saturday, September 6 at 4:00 PM followed by a reception and fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, gifts can be sent to any of the following. Please make sure there is a note accompanying any donation, that it is in memory of Jim.

1. Zotung Christian Church of Grand Rapids: 1961 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505

2. Zion Chapel: 937 Royce Ave., Holland, MI 49423

3. Grace Reformed Baptist Church: PO Box 221, Mebane, NC 27302

Jim loved classic Christian books and overseas ministry as well. A ministry in China would love to translate and publish (in Chinese) the last book Jim bought and enjoyed - Thomas Case’s “A Treatise on Afflictions.” The ministry would include a brief introduction about him and his love for such books. Please include a note indicating that the gift is for the China Literature Fund, in memory of Jim Compere.