Jack Thomas Vandermay

After a year of defiantly living, beating all odds against him, Jack Vandermay went to his eternal home with Jesus and joined the best and biggest family reunion ever. So many loved ones welcomed him home—wife Betty, brother Bill, nephew Randy, parents Bill and Anne Vandermay and Gerrit and Nellie VanDyk along with Dorothy and Don, Jim, Roy, Mary and Al, Marv, Jan, Brad, Mark, John, and more. 

He is survived by children Steve Vandermay, Julie Vandermay (Mary Keenan), Marie (Kevin) Gleesing, Bev (Doug) Vanderwell with grandkids Anne, Ben, Kayce, and Alicyn along with sisters and brothers Anne (Chauncey) Bancroft, Joyce Vandermay, Jelene VanDyk (Marvin Baas), Audrey Reurink, Elaine VanLiere, Obie (Carol) VanDyk and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

He met the love of his life, Betty, when his mother tried to influence her son’s future by sneakily arranging to host two young women for the Young Calvinist Convention. They married on Nov. 15, 1963, a date easy to remember because while many would leave for deer hunting on that day, Dad always said he already got his “dear”! 

He lived in Kalamazoo, MI, his entire life. During his childhood, he enjoyed playing with his cousins at Little Long Lake and getting into mischief and misadventures with his brother and friends. After graduating from Kalamazoo Christian High School, he became a bricklayer apprentice and joined his Dad and brother Bill in Vandermay Construction Company. One of his favorite places to have coffee and talk business was Nagle’s Top Dog where those who worked there became friends and where he continued having coffee until he was no longer able to last year. Another place he combined friendship and business was at Western playing cards. As a mason, Jack had a thorough knowledge of anything brick or block related. Driving around, Dad would point out places Vandermay built or admire other beautifully made buildings.

He raised his family on West Lake. Here he would play Bocce a few houses down with Bill and friends. In summers, he often would come home and jump in the lake to cool down and clean off while we all were swimming. Other times to unwind after work, he would take his little red canoe and fishing pole to see what bluegill or bass he would catch. While cleaning the fish, he would teach us the parts and empty the contents of the stomach for us to see what it had recently eaten. Family game nights, dinners together with reading the Bible afterwards, summer camping trips to VanBuren State Park, spring break trips to see Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Anne and Uncle Chauncey in Florida, and family reunions were all part of growing up. 

After retirement he ran a thriving antiques business with booths at Kalamazoo Antiques Market, Burgess Antique Center in Galesburg, and Great Lakes Antique Mall in Coloma. He loved hunting for unique items with his buddy Dave. He was still wheeling and dealing from his bed with the help of His kids who helped price, deliver, and restock items. 

Jack was a helper of humans. He shared his love of Christ with many. He greeted everyone at church with smiles, hugs, and more. For many years he and his son Steve had Sunday night dinners with their friend Ted. He loved to spoil the people He loved—especially his grandkids! He loved God, and he loved his family and friends. 

Dad's service will be Tuesday March 4 at 11am with a visitation the night before (Monday, March 3) between 5-7pm. Both will be held at Langeland Funeral Homes Burial and Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Centrica Hospice, Centrica Care Navigators.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family visit https://www.langelands.com.