James DeBorst

BORST James Henry De Borst, aged 81, crossed over the Jordan on August 29, 2008, and came home to his Lord. There he was reunited with his parents, Harriet and Arie De Borst, and sisters, Harriet De Zeeuw and Ruth Vander Wal. For 53 years he traveled with his wife, Julia (Dykstra) De Borst who mourns the loss of her companion. Together they raised two children, loyal daughter, Elizabeth Hitchcock (Craig); and vagabond son, James Padilla DeBorst (Ruth); sisters, Arlene Kladder, Jeanne De Borst and Carol Gootjes (Dick) already miss the dear brother who used to play cards with his fellow Christian schoolteachers in their parent's home. A consummate storyteller, he taught thousands through his classroom narratives first at local Christian high schools and then at Calvin College. While teaching at Calvin he devoted considerable energy fighting to shape the institution's direction while serving on committee assignments. Upon his retirement his mother purportedly chastised him for his lack of hobbies, saying he couldn't do much more than talk. Yet deprived of a classroom, he regaled friends and strangers alike with stories of his eight grandchildren, Daniel (Tracy), and Sarah Vander Heide, and Maya, Anton, Jonathan, Maria, Luana, and Natalia De Borst. When he wasn't in the class or committee room he could be found on the deck of his cottage on Lake Michigan---telling stories. It is there that his family remembers him at his best. Family and friends are invited to celebrate the conclusion of this chapter in his life during visiting hours, Sunday, August 31, 7 to 9 p.m., Monday, September 1, 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel. Services will be held Tuesday, September 2, at Woodlawn CRC in the Calvin College Chapel at 11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Westminster Food Pantry or at barackobama.com. Zaagman Memorial Chapel