Ronald Dykstra

Ronald Jay Dykstra, age 79, of Grandville, passed away peacefully to be with his Lord on Monday, March 29, 2021. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather and friend who loved God and was loved by all. He overcame many hardships early in life to become a respected and compassionate mentor and leader. He impacted countless lives over the years through his many endeavors and service to the community. Ron played football at South High School and was crowned Homecoming King in 1959. At 15, he joined Junior Achievement and later rose to become President of the Board of Directors of the Grand Rapids Area Junior Achievement. Throughout his life he was involved with important community programs including: Kent County March of Dimes, Kendall School of Design’s annual campaign, Grand Rapids Jaycees, Baxter Community Center, Kent County Humane Society, President of United Way Board of Directors of Kent County, Grand Rapids Radio Broadcasters Association, Greater Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Grand Rapids Press Club, Chair of the Downtown Management Board, Pine Rest Foundation Board of Governors, Prime Bank Board of Directors, and Trustee for Blodgett Memorial Medical Center. Ron worked at WZZM in TV sales before rising to Vice President and General Manager of WCUZ radio. He retired from WCUZ after 20 years and purchased AccuServe, a quality control inspection company and Paradigm-Plus, a secondary packaging facility. Ron was a longtime member of Fellowship CRC in Grandville and served as a youth pastor, deacon and elder. He served his country in the National Guard for six years. Ron battled Parkinson’s the last sixteen years of his life. We admire how he maintained his sense of humor, positive outlook and grateful spirit despite dealing with incredible challenges. His faith in Jesus as his Lord and Savior sustained him and gave him the assurance of God’s love, grace and eternal life. One of his greatest joys in life was his family. He enjoyed spending summers boating, fishing, and steerable kite flying at the family cottage on Hamlin Lake in Ludington, MI. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Carole Dykstra; children, Michelle, Nicole (Jim), Ryan (Kelly); grandchildren, Alaina, Cameron, Jayce and Brooke; granddog, Bella; siblings, Jan (Jim) Terpstra, Carol (Jim) Schimmel, Kathy Sue (Randy) Musser, Rich Dykstra and Sandy Bewell, Joe (Reen) Dykstra; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his siblings, Ray Dykstra and Judy (Dutch) Kornoely. As a family, we grieve that he is no longer with us, but we take comfort that he is with his Lord and Savior. “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 2, 2021, at 10 a.m. at Fellowship Christian Reformed Church, 4375 Ivanrest SW, Grandville, with Rev. Tom VanderPloeg officiating. Masks are required and must be worn at all times inside of the church. The burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday, April 1, from 4-7 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW, and Friday, April 2, from 9-9:45 a.m. at the church prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to The Potter’s House at www.tphgr.org.

The funeral service will be livestreamed and can be viewed via this link: https://vimeo.com/531333379