In Loving Memory: Rev. James (Jim) R. Kok 1935-2026

 

 Remembering Jim Kok (1935-2026)

for anybody unsure, this is about the James R. Kok who grew up in Hills (MN), Bellflower (CA) & Holland (MI) and became a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) pastor, working most of his career at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in west Michigan, & the rest of his career mostly at the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California. (this is noted because there are/were more than one Rev. James R. Kok affiliated with the CRC over the last several decades).   (His wife's name is Linda). 

 (I am not in charge of posting the official obituary so I am posting a secondary obituary notice here on my own website blogs to provide further context & information). There has been some obituary information posted online already at the following links:

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647

https://www.communityfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-kok

https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647

On March 21, 2026, all are welcome at the burial ceremony at Artesia Cemetery in Artesia (CA) ( 11142 Artesia Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703 beginning around 9:00 am (pst). It is a small cemetery and we do not know how many people will attend. If more than expected do attend, we hope the cemetery staff will help direct you to "overflow parking" outside the cemetery (but apparently parking in the high school parking lot across the street is discouraged)  

Later in the day, all are also welcome at a  formal memorial service at the Shepherd's Grove church (4445 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604) later in the day beginning at 1:30pm (pst), after which there will be gathering in the community hall at the same location for refreshments & an informal time for people to reflect, socialize, & remember Jim, possibly with an open mic to share stories, as well as a photo slideshow, & memorial table etc) 

here's my version of Jim Kok's life & legacy: 

Blessed are those who mourn,

 for they shall be comforted." 

— Matthew 5:4

Remembering James R. "Jim" Kok 

(1935–2026)

James R. Kok, affectionately known as Jim, passed peacefully on February 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, & a lifelong dedication to Christian kindness. In a striking alignment with his mission, his passing occurred on February 17, 2026, which is also known as Random Acts of Kindness Day, a fitting reflection of the life he spent serving others with compassion, care, love & kindness.

Born on March 29, 1935, in Hills, Minnesota, Jim was the second of five children: Sherwood, Jim, Faith, Kay, & Gary. As an infant, he moved with his parents,Gareth & Katherine, to Bellflower, California, where his father founded Valley Christian School & served as pastor of a Christian Reformed Church (1st Bellflower CRC aka "1st Bell "). The household was steeped in faith, learning, & service, shaping the values that would guide Jim's life.

The family later relocated to Holland, Michigan, where Jim attended Holland Christian Junior High & High School. Tragedy struck during Jim's teenage years when his mother, Katherine, passed away just as Jim was in his final years of high school, leaving a profound mark on him as he struggled with "grief" early in life, which influenced the depth of compassion & understanding he would later bring to his Christian ministry.

 During this time, basketball became both a passion & a source of friendship  & community, as he played alongside his lifelong friend Tony Diekema (future  president of Calvin College) at Holland Christian High, & later Don Vroon as well (future Calvin professor & coach, RIP) (among others he remembered fondly), continuing together at Calvin College (original location) & winning multiple MIAA championships.

Growing up, Jim worked various jobs to make ends meet. In Bellflower, in the 1930's, he picked & sold avocados door-to-door; & also sold the Press-Telegram from street corners, & even drove a tractor for alfalfa harvesting time  (Bellflower at that time still being mostly an agricultural & dairy farming area). 

Later, still growing up,  in Holland (MI) he also worked as a  "paper boy" delivering the GR Press & Holland Sentinel. In addition he worked at various local grocery stores; & at the Holland ballpark selling popcorn & peanuts. 

As a young adult he also worked at Chris Craft, as well as another factory, while going thru college; among other things. As a child he enjoyed boating on Lake Macatawa & also the "car life" with his brother Sherwood. 

After college, Jim studied at Michigan State University (MSU) for a master's in counseling & worked in Kalamazoo in vocational rehab for one year while also still playing basketball for various leagues with friends etc. After one year in Kalamazoo, Jim answered God's call to ministry starting at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia &  then Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids, eventually becoming an ordained pastor for the Christian Reformed Church. 

His pastoral care experience included internships at the University of Michigan & a hospital in Gowanda, New York, & he went on to become a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE)  supervisor & Pine Rest Hospital & later the Crystal Cathedral, mentoring generations in spiritual care, grief support, & compassionate counseling. 

He also started the annual  International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral.During seminary, Jim met his beloved wife, Linda Peters, daughter of Leo Peters of Butterball Farms. Together they raised four children—a daughter & three sons across New York, Michigan, Iowa, & California, & were blessed with many grandchildren who continue to carry forward his legacy of faith & kindness.

Jim's ministry spanned decades: serving as pastor in Iowa City starting in 1965, 14 years as CPE supervisor at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids, & many years as Director of Pastoral Care at the Crystal Cathedral in California. He authored several books, contributed a weekly column to The Banner, and for many years led the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral, inspiring countless attendees to embrace Christian compassion in both words and actions.

Even in retirement, Jim continued mentoring, counseling, & supporting family, friends, & his community. The timing of his passing on Random Acts of Kindness Day poignantly mirrors the heart of his lifelong mission: to model & promote Christ-centered kindness & care for all.

Jim Kok will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, uncle, loyal friend, mentor, & servant of Christ. His life stands as a testament to faith, resilience through grief, & a steadfast commitment to loving & serving others.

Rest in peace, Jim. Your faith, care, & kindness, will continue to bless the lives of many.

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kathryn special re her indian students & their amazing art

 

Kathryn more

1) this is also available to view in PDF format online 

(or download , no copyright)  (pdf saver)

2) here's another version of the same              

               (with a few variations) 

HERINNERING
AAN MIJNE

II. DOOP

van: Catharina Schaaf
geboren: 20 Mei 1911
gedoopt: 2 Juni 1911
door Predikant: J. Visser
wonende in: de Wijk aan Zee, en

Ouders:

De doop is een heilig Sacrament, door Christus ingesteld, om onze inlijving in de Christelijke Kerk en onze deelname aan de weldaden des Verbonds der Genade te verzegelen. De doop verpligt ons, den Heere met kinderlijke gehoorzaamheid te dienen, en ons gedurig in de heiligmaking te oefenen. Door dezen doop erkennen wij: God voor onzen God, Christus voor onzen Zaligmaker, en Gods Woord voor den regel onzes levens. Wij gelooven: dat de Zoon van God zijn bloed vergoten heeft, om de zonden der wereld te verzoenen; dat wij door dien doop tot de gemeenschap met Hem en tot de genade Gods toegelaten worden, en dat wij door de werking van den Heiligen Geest, in het geloof en de heiligmaking zullen worden bewaard, tot in het eeuwige leven.

Daarom, geloof in den Heere Jezus Christus, en gij zult zalig worden.

REMEMBRANCE
OF MY

II. BAPTISM

of: Catharina Schaaf
born: 20 May 1911
baptized: 2 June 1911
by Predikant (Minister): J. Visser
residing in: de Wijk aan Zee, and

Parents:

Baptism is a holy Sacrament, instituted by Christ, to seal our incorporation into the Christian Church and our participation in the benefits of the Covenant of Grace. Baptism obligates us to serve the Lord with childlike obedience, and to continually exercise ourselves in sanctification. Through this baptism we acknowledge: God as our God, Christ as our Savior, and God's Word as the rule of our lives. We believe: that the Son of God shed his blood, to atone for the sins of the world; that through this baptism we are admitted to communion with Him and to the grace of God, and that we shall be preserved through the working of the Holy Spirit, in faith and sanctification, unto eternal life.

Therefore, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved.

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above:

Sioux Falls College

QUEEN NOMINATIONS CLOSE

Today was the last day at Sioux Falls college in which nominations would be received for Tepee Day Queen, who will preside over the homecoming ceremonies October 19. The contest is being sponsored by the Stylus, student newspaper at the school. This is the third year of the contest. All nominations must have the signatures of ten students at the school in order to be legal.

Election of the queen will be held in the students' association meeting Friday, October 11, at 9:50 a.m. Several nominations have been tendered to the Stylus and the election promises to be an interesting one. No nominations will be allowed from the floor but time will be given for campaign speeches.

Results of the contest will be announced in the next issue of the Stylus which will be published October 17. The queen with two attendants will have a special float in the torchlight parade to be held on the evening of October 18 and will preside over the activities on Tepee Day.

Nominations for the honor as received in the Stylus office include the names of Miss Eileen Mundt, of Sioux Falls, Miss Mary Stephens of Bismarck, N. D., Miss Elizabeth Rice of Watertown, Miss Evelyn Jacobson of Bismarck, all juniors, and Miss Ruth Srozier of Watertown and Miss Kathryn Schaap of Timber Lake, sophomores.

MISS FREESE TO TALK

Miss Evelyn Freese, instructor of French and Spanish at Sioux Falls college, will give a report of her travels in Europe during the past summer during the chapel period on Thursday, October 10. She returned from her trip on the continent in

above: 

Miss Kathryn Schaap, a former graduate of the Timber Lake high school and at present a sophomore at Sioux Falls college, was chosen as the most popular co-ed in the sophomore class at the college, and was one of the six representatives eligible for Tepee Day queen, chosen from the student body for popularity, beauty and character. Although upper classmen are usually chosen for Tepee Day queen, Miss Schaap has made a wonderful showing among her many friends at college. Results of the queen election will be announced two days before Tepee Day, the homecoming day at Sioux Falls college to be held October 19.

                                            

above: Miss Kathryn Schaap of Timber Lake, a student at Sioux Falls college, Sioux Falls, was one of the group of young ladies at that school who recently moved from their old home in the girls dormitory to the new one in the one hundred thousand dollar ladies residence hall recently completed on the campus. The new building which was made possible through the gift of a Sioux Falls woman who was interested in the school, is one of the most modern of its type in the state. Every effort was made and no expense was spared to provide the young ladies with all the latest conveniences. Formal dedication of the new building will take place in the near future. This was in the J. L. topic

above: Miss Kathryn Schaap of Timber Lake, a sophomore at Sioux Falls College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, has an important roll in the three act farce comedy "Who Wouldn't Be Crazy" being presented by the dramatic club at the school in the college auditorium on Thursday evening, March 27. The play, written by Katherine Kavanaugh, is to be the first presentation of the club which was only recently organized and of which Miss Schaap is a charter member. Miss Schaap plays the part of "Beatrice," one of three friends who are pretty girls between the ages of seventeen and nineteen. The scene of the play is laid in the courtyard of a private insane asylum. Many amusing situations develop, including an airplane flight, a robbery, and a kidnapping. This was in the Timber Lake paper

above:

LOCAL GIRL HAS LEADING PART IN COLLEGE PLAY

Miss Kathryn Schaap of Timber Lake, a sophomore at Sioux Falls college, Sioux Falls, was one of the cast of the play "Ever Young," presented by members of the dramatic class at the college before a large crowd on Friday night. The play was one of a number being presented by the drama department of the school this spring.

Miss Schaap played the part of a "Mrs. Blanchard," one of the four old ladies who were trying to retain a youth already lost. Her part was the main one in the play, being that of the one who really did regain happiness, being married with a lover lost forty years before. The scene of the play was laid on the sun porch of a Palm Beach hotel.