Gordon James Buys

Gordon James Buys, age 84, of Kentwood, was embraced by his Lord on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. He was born March 4th, 1941, the fourth of 9 children born to Gerrit and Elsie (née DeYoung) Buys of Custer Washington. As a child on a dairy farm, he quickly demonstrated an affinity for mechanical things, becoming an expert in finding creative solutions to problems - skills that would serve him well through the rest of his life. In high school he took an active role in sports, drama, leadership and community service. With dreams of being an Air Force pilot, he set off for Calvin College with many local friends, the most important of whom was the love of his life, Florine Van Andel. 

A college degree, flight training, and marriage eventually melded into a newer vision, that of missionary service through education. With his college diploma, he would join the Christian Reformed Church’s Nigeria field as a secondary school teacher in 1963. Scarcely one week after he and Florine landed in Nigeria, the family expanded to three. Gord taught for a total of 5 years at Bristow and Mbiya Secondary Schools in southeastern Nigeria. In addition to teaching, Gord coached sports and helped lead musical groups including choirs. He loved mentoring students and poured his heart into helping in any way he could. 

The next 15 years would see him embrace another love…flying. Over thousands of hours he crossed Nigeria, delivering people and cargo to hard-to-reach locations as well as patients needing emergency care. He approached each flight with careful attention to detail: packing, balancing weight; and absolute delight at the wonder of flight. Gord treated passengers with kindness and through it all, he would never lose his wonder of God’s ever-changing fingerprints seen in cloud formations in the Nigerian skies. 

Gord was a man of faith and principle, deeply committed to service, his church, and his family. After 20 years in Nigeria, he continued as a recruiter and mentor to younger missionaries in the US office of Christian Reformed World Missions. He was devoted to global change and eternal hope, spending countless hours promoting relief and mission work. Around Grand Rapids, he invested in Rotary International, as well as supporting individuals with housing needs, job training and good old fashioned elbow grease. Gord would often give wise counsel and fix a friend’s brakes in the same afternoon. The smile on his face was accompanied by humility in his spirit; he put forth his best effort on behalf of all surrounding him, whatever the need. 

Gord was devoted to his wife, Florine, to whom he was married for more than 63 years; he was her willing helper in all things. Together they raised 4 children and now have 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. As a Grandpa, he will be fondly remembered for his prayers, his blessings, and for building tree houses, going on “lion” hunts in the Grand Rapids woods, constructing swings and ziplines, and indulging in ice cream. He taught generations of children and grandchildren to parallel park, perfected the art of kneading bread, and schooled everyone in tennis or ping pong. Breakfast with grandpa or role modeling car-washing or lawn mowing were beautiful investments in his family. He taught efficiency, frugality and creative problem solving. 

Gordon’s life was one of selfless service with great joy. Following his savior, he served with all his heart, and loved with great perseverance. He will be gratefully remembered by his wife Florine; children: Keith and Pam Buys, Shareen and Mike Kelly, Marlys and Rick DeRuiter, Brian and Erin Buys; 14 grandchildren: Loriann (Matt) Syswerda, Daniel (Rachael) Buys, Nathan (Renelle) Buys, Matthew Kelly, Joel (Katelyn) Kelly, Leah (Kat) Kelly, Kennedey DeRuiter, Peyton (Michael) Merz, Isaac (Daphne) DeRuiter, Levi DeRuiter, Noah, Zachary, Hannah, and Luke Buys; 11 great grandchildren; siblings: Nella Terpstra, Ron (Marcia) Buys, Dave (Kathy) Buys; brother-in-law and sisters-in- law: Arvid Hagen, Berniece Buys, Glen (Gloria) Van Andel, Denny (Ruth) Van Andel, Doug (Norene) Van Andel; many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Joan Renee Buys; siblings: Henry (Anne) Buys, Alta (Hap) Weidner, Evelyn Hagen, Ruth (Al) Smit, Robert Buys; brother-in-law, Bob Terpstra. 

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Brookside Christian Reformed Church, 3600 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, with Pastor Paul DeVries officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 5-7 p.m. and also Saturday from 10-11 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Resonate (Resonate Global Mission) or Holland Home Patient Assistance Fund (Make a Gift and Donate to Holland Home of West Michigan). Live streaming of the service can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMxMQmMjBDV3y6RJIHNrD7g