Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.

Ted Bouwkamp

November 29, 1942 - October 6, 2021
Grand Rapids, MI

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Graveside Service

Saturday, October 16, 2021
11:00 AM EDT
Pineville Leaf River Cemetery
Louin
Mississippi, MI

Life Story / Obituary


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BOUWKAMP – Mr. Theodore Stevens Bouwkamp, age 78, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, October 6, 2021, at the American House of Holland, Michigan. His Graveside Service and interment will be held on Saturday, October 16, 2021, 11:00 AM at Pineville Leaf River Cemetery in Louin, Mississippi. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest, Mississippi. Ted was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on November 29, 1942, to Theodore J. and Vanessa B. (Stevens) Bouwkamp. As a young child, Ted was doted on by his mother while his father served in Europe during World War II. Ted became active in the Boy Scouts and was proud to have moved up the ranks to become an Eagle Scout. He attended Michigan Oak Grade School and graduated from East Grand Rapids High School in 1960. After attending Grand Rapids Junior College, Ted went on to study and graduate from Western Michigan University with a Business Degree in 1964. He worked for several insurance companies before he purchased an agency in Lapeer, Michigan. Ted married Shirley Byrd in 1974, and together they raised their beloved son, Christopher Ted Bouwkamp. They enjoyed traveling together in and outside of the country. Together they built a beautiful home in Metamora, Michigan. Ted sold his insurance agency in 2006 and moved to Bradenton, Florida, enjoying beautiful weather and wonderful friends. Throughout his life, Ted enjoyed spending time with friends, and held special relationships with his lifelong friend, Randy Dykman; his friend, Gene Burnside in Florida; his brother-in-law, Dorsey Byrd in Indiana; and his brother-in-law, Jerry Duette in Mississippi. Ted was preceded in death by his father, Theodore J. Bouwkamp; his mother, Vanessa (Stevens) Bouwkamp; his wife, Shirley (Byrd) Bouwkamp; and by his son, Christopher Ted Bouwkamp, all of whom were greatly missed by him. Ted was a sweet, gentle soul who was well liked by everyone he met. He was always a gentleman, and was very kind and generous. He was loved and will be greatly missed. Local arrangements are being handled by Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, Grand Rapids, Michigan.