Rev. Gerald DeVries

The Rev. Gerald E. DeVries was a gentle and humble pastor who served congregations from coast to coast over more than four decades.

Jerry was the fourth of 10 children born to Albert and Wilma DeVries and grew up on their subsistence farm in Princeton, Minn. He contracted polio at age 7 and for a time was paralyzed on his left side. When he left the hospital after six months of therapy, he was given crutches but "forgot" to use them, eventually regaining enough strength to walk with a barely detectable limp. As a teenager he would again defy doctors' predictions by working physically demanding jobs such as building silos.

After high school, Jerry studied engineering for two years at the University of Minnesota but found the campus too secular. At the same time, his lifelong denomination, the Christian Reformed Church in North America, was actively searching for young men to train for the pastorate, so he finished college at Calvin College (now University) in Grand Rapids, Mich., and then enrolled at Calvin Theological Seminary. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity in 1966 and his Master of Theology in 1967.

At Jerry's ordination service, the presiding minister chose Isaiah 52 as the text. Jerry believed verse 7, "How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news," was divine confirmation of his calling-even with differently sized, polio-afflicted feet he could reflect Christ's beauty as he preached and pastored.

Jerry became the pastor of Terra Ceia (N.C.) CRC, then Alto (Wis.) CRC, Faith CRC in Kalamazoo, Mich., Woden (Iowa) CRC, and Lafayette (Ind.) CRC. After retirement, he and his wife, Eileen, moved to Grand Rapids and served interim pastorates in Washington, Montana, and North Carolina.

Jerry used his patient and thoughtful pastoral skills in other settings, too. While living in Wisconsin, Jerry served as part-time chaplain at what was then the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane and nurtured an emerging church in Beaver Dam. In Kalamazoo, he served as chaplain for the Alamo Township volunteer firefighters and drove the imposingly long water tanker truck. For 25 years, he and Eileen were clergy leaders for Engaged Encounter retreats for couples. Jerry also served two terms on the board of trustees of Dordt University in Iowa.

Most of Jerry's hobbies were born of financial necessity. He reupholstered secondhand furniture, tended enormous vegetable gardens, and found creative solutions for household or auto repairs in the truest definition of "jerry-rigged." He even built his own pop-up camper for thrifty family vacations. In later years, Jerry and Eileen were able to travel further afield to Europe, Israel, China, the Caribbean, and Alaska.

Jerry took great joy in gathering with his large extended family. He was a loving husband, a caring and attentive father, and a devoted brother.

Predeceased by his parents, brothers Glen, John, Robert, and Lloyd, sister Jean Wark, brothers-in-law Dave Wark, Gary Rysdam, and Ron Rysdam, and sisters-in-law Gail, Phyllis, Mary, and Mary, Jerry is survived by Eileen, his wife of nearly 61 years; sons Philip (Kristen), Alan (Karen), and Steve (Dawn); grandchildren Jodie (Connor) Diemer, Thomas (Gabby), Benjamin, Jeffrey, Staysha, Seth, Miriam, Brin, and Ryan; great-granddaughters Jenna and Charlie; brothers Marvin (Sharon), Clarence, Larry, and Dale; sisters-in-law Alice DeVries, Fran DeVries, and Trudy Rysdam; and many nieces and nephews.

A service to celebrate Jerry's earthly and eternal life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 6, in the Calvin University Chapel, 1835 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, Mich., pastors Mike Abma and Bryant DeKruyter officiating. The family will welcome visitors beginning at 10 a.m. A light lunch will follow the service at the Woodlawn CRC Ministry Center, 3190 Burton SE. Memorial gifts may be directed to the resident assistance fund of the Holland Home Foundation at 2100 Raybrook SE, Ste. 300, Grand Rapids, Mich., 49546, or at hollandhome.org/donate.