Glen VanderKooi

On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Glen Michael VanderKooi, age 55, of Byron Center Michigan, completed his life’s race surrounded by his wife and children. 

Glen was born December 8, 1969, in Ann Arbor, Michigan to Lambert and Agatha VanderKooi. He grew up In Portage, Michigan, where he attended Kalamazoo Christian Schools. He and Kori met in college and fell in love while studying abroad in Spain, beginning life-long friendships and an interest and heart for Spanish culture and language. After graduating from Calvin College in 1992, he earned his Juris Doctor Degree from Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (1996). For two years he worked as a clerk for Judge Robert Holmes Bell, then continued his legal career in the real estate division of Meijer stores, up until he suffered a massive stroke in 2014. After a miraculous recovery, Glen was able to continue utilizing his legal skills for several years on a voluntary basis at Partners Worldwide and International Needs. These jobs enriched his life greatly, and through them he had an impact on many lives. He also dedicated much of his time to writing devotionals for Haven Ministries’ Anchor Devotional.

Glen never wanted to be defined by his work, however. He found immense joy and pleasure in the outdoors—hiking, birdwatching, running, and biking. And he passionately fostered a love of these in his four children. He enjoyed participating in sports and was an enthusiastic sports fan, cheering especially for each of his kids. He loved traveling. He loved learning about history. He relished countless hours of involvement at church with the Prayer Encouragement Team and with the outreach committee. Glen found great joy organizing and directing the Ride for Refuge, a fund-raising bike event benefiting ministries to refugees around the world. Together with his wife Kori, he started the annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot run in Byron Center benefiting Hope Unexpected.

Glen was an avid reader of the Bible and theological books. He spent his lunch breaks memorizing Scripture. During the years before his stroke, he committed to memory the book of Romans. Glen’s stroke rarely dampened his enthusiasm for life; anyone who spent time with him was heartened by his positive and cheerful attitude. In the last several months as life grew more challenging for him, the best parts of his days were when family and friends would come and read Scripture to him. It gave him a profound sense of peace to know that his life was held firmly in the grip of his Savior. 

Above all, Glen valued his relationship with God. His deepest desire was that everyone he met would also experience the saving faith, hope, and joy that he knew. He lived out his faith by showing genuine care and concern for others. He had a great sense of humor and was generous, gentle, and kind to all.

Glen is survived by his wife of nearly 32 years, Kori (Kros) VanderKooi; his children, Rebecca VanderKooi (of Brooklyn, New York), Micah and Natalie (Martinson) VanderKooi (of Knoxville, Tennessee), Caleb and Anna (Orr) VanderKooi (of Holland, Michigan), and Joseph VanderKooi (of Byron Center, Michigan). He is also survived by his mother, Agatha VanderKooi (of Kalamazoo, Michigan) and siblings Ray and Shari (Tjoelker) VanderKooi (of Grand Rapids, Michigan), Joel and Jackie (VanderLaan) VanderKooi (of Portage, Michigan), and Beth (VanderKooi) and Greg Rozeveld (of Mattawan, Michigan). Additionally, Glen will be lovingly remembered by his father-in-law, Rich Kros (of Merrillville, Indiana), siblings-in-law, Kathy (Kros) and Kevin Daane (of Escondido, California), Karen Kros (of Kalamazoo, Michigan), Kim (Kros) and Tom Cope (of Highland, Indiana), and Tim and Diane (Wiers) Kros (of DeMotte, Indiana), as well as many nieces, nephews, friends, and relatives spread across the globe–all of whose lives were touched by him. Glen was preceded in death by his father, Lambert VanderKooi and his mother-in-law, Frances Kros. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Heritage Christian Reformed Church, 3089 84th St. SW, Byron Center with Pastor Bob Huisman officiating. Burial will take place at Winchester Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Friday, April 4 from 5-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. An additional time of visitation will be held at the church from 9:30 - 10:15 am on Saturday prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Glen VanderKooi Gospel Outreach Fund through International Needs. The service can be viewed via livestream.