John R. Oudsema

John R. “Jack” Oudsema passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024 in Kalamazoo, MI. Jack was born October 13, 1952, the fourth of seven children to Margaret and Robert N. Oudsema. He had an active childhood at their Lama Road residence where neighbors joined in for swimming in the backyard pool, playing kick-the-can, capture the flag and baseball. He loved exploring the nearby woods and Whites Lake and winter brought snowball fights and sledding down the back yard hill. 

The competition with siblings was at times fierce, whether it was basement table tennis matches escalating to yelling matches or front yard football games leading to broken bones. But Jack was thankful for all his family experiences and memories. Family lore included stories of “the middle child” being temporarily forgotten and left behind at a highway rest stop on a driving trip to Florida, being teased for his brown hair in a family of mostly blondies, his pronounced ears, as well as forgetting his own birthday!

Jack especially enjoyed playing tennis on the neighbor’s court. He hit against the backyard backboard which led to setting tennis records at Portage Northern High School and Ferris State University. Later in life, he became an avid walker, logging daily miles through the Carolina mountains or other areas where he lived.

Jack developed his own talents. He was good at avoiding tedious tasks that did not interest him but dove in with intensity on everything else. Those who knew him will remember his marathon reading weekends and his gardening enthusiasm that turned empty boulevards and his own yard into beautiful flower displays! More than anything else, Jack was a “people person” who had the knack of listening like a seasoned bartender and motivating others with his encouraging language. He was likeable and used his people skills to work successfully in real estate, both at Cain Realtors and Preferred Carlson. He took on stagnant condo projects and turned them into lovely homes for his clients. 

Jack’s friends, old and new, former colleagues, neighbors, especially the caring ones in the Oakwood neighborhood were SO SPECIAL to him, and your love is a testimony to how special Jack was. The family is especially grateful to the Senior Care Partners of PACE for their endless care of Jack. We thank you. 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Tom Oudsema. Surviving are siblings, Bob (Carol) Oudsema, Mary (Clyde) Stevens; William (Kathy) Oudsema; Carol (Vince Mandarino) Oudsema; David Oudsema; as well as many nieces and nephews.

According to his wishes cremation has taken place and there will be no memorial service. Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Contributions in memory of Jack may be made to either the Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E. of Kalamazoo 445 W Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49007 or Oakwood Neighborhood Association 3320 Laird Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. To leave an online condolence, please visit https://www.langelands.com