Remembering Jim Kok (1935-2026)
for anybody unsure, this is about the James R. Kok who grew up in Hills (MN), Bellflower (CA) & Holland (MI) and became a Christian Reformed Church (CRC) pastor, working most of his career at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in west Michigan, & the rest of his career mostly at the Crystal Cathedral in Southern California. (this is noted because there are/were more than one Rev. James R. Kok affiliated with the CRC over the last several decades). (His wife's name is Linda).
(I am not in charge of posting the official obituary so I am posting a secondary obituary notice here on my own website blogs to provide further context & information). There has been some obituary information posted online already at the following links:
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647
https://www.communityfuneralservice.com/obituaries/james-kok
https://obits.mlive.com/us/obituaries/grandrapids/name/james-kok-obituary?id=60896647
On March 21, 2026, all are welcome at the burial ceremony at Artesia Cemetery in Artesia (CA) ( 11142 Artesia Blvd, Cerritos, CA 90703 beginning around 9:00 am (pst). It is a small cemetery and we do not know how many people will attend. If more than expected do attend, we hope the cemetery staff will help direct you to "overflow parking" outside the cemetery (but apparently parking in the high school parking lot across the street is discouraged)
Later in the day, all are also welcome at a formal memorial service at the Shepherd's Grove church (4445 Alton Pkwy, Irvine, CA 92604) later in the day beginning at 1:30pm (pst), after which there will be gathering in the community hall at the same location for refreshments & an informal time for people to reflect, socialize, & remember Jim, possibly with an open mic to share stories, as well as a photo slideshow, & memorial table etc)
here's my version of Jim Kok's life & legacy:
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted."
— Matthew 5:4
Remembering James R. "Jim" Kok (1935–2026)
James R. Kok, affectionately known as Jim,
passed peacefully on February 17, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, family, & a lifelong dedication to Christian kindness.
In a striking alignment with his mission, his passing occurred on February 17, 2026, which is also known as Random Acts of Kindness Day, a fitting reflection of the life he spent serving others with compassion, care, love & kindness.
Born on March 29, 1935, in Hills, Minnesota,
Jim was the second of five children:
Sherwood, Jim, Faith, Kay, & Gary. As an infant, he moved with his parents, Gareth & Katherine, to Bellflower, California, where his father founded Valley Christian School
& served as pastor of a Christian Reformed Church (1st Bellflower CRC aka "1st Bell "). The household was steeped in faith, learning, & service, shaping the values that would guide Jim's life.
The family later relocated to Holland, Michigan, where Jim attended Holland Christian Junior High & High School.
Tragedy struck during Jim's teenage years when his mother, Katherine, passed away just as Jim was in his final years of high school, leaving a profound mark on him as he struggled with "grief" early in life, which influenced the depth of compassion & understanding he would later bring to his Christian ministry.
During this time, basketball became both a passion & a source of friendship & community, as he played alongside his lifelong friend Tony Diekema ( future president of Calvin College)
at Holland Christian High, & later Don Vroon as well (future Calvin professor & coach, RIP) (among others he remembered fondly), continuing together at Calvin College (original location)
& winning multiple MIAA championships.
Growing up, Jim worked various jobs to make ends meet. In Bellflower, in the 1930's, he picked & sold avocados door-to-door; & also sold the Press-Telegram from street corners,
& even drove a tractor for alfalfa harvesting time
(Bellflower at that time still being mostly an agricultural & dairy farming area).
Later, still growing up, in Holland (MI) he also worked as a "paper boy" delivering the GR Press & Holland Sentinel. In addition he worked at various local grocery stores; & at the Holland ballpark selling popcorn & peanuts.
As a young adult he also worked at Chris Craft, as well as another factory, while going thru college; among other things. As a child he enjoyed boating on Lake Macatawa & also the "car life" with his brother Sherwood.
After college, Jim studied at Michigan State University (MSU) for a master's in counseling & worked in Kalamazoo in vocational rehab for one year while also still playing basketball for various leagues with friends etc.
After one year in Kalamazoo, Jim answered God's call to ministry starting at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia &
then Calvin Seminary in Grand Rapids,
eventually becoming an ordained pastor for the
Christian Reformed Church.
His pastoral care experience included internships at the University of Michigan & a hospital in Gowanda, New York, & he went on to become a Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) supervisor & Pine Rest Hospital & later the Crystal Cathedral, mentoring generations in spiritual care, grief support, & compassionate counseling. He also started the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral.
During seminary, Jim met his beloved wife, Linda Peters, daughter of Leo Peters of Butterball Farms.
Together they raised four children—a daughter & three sons—
across New York, Michigan, Iowa, & California, & were blessed with many grandchildren who continue to carry forward his legacy of faith & kindness.
Jim's ministry spanned decades: serving as pastor in Iowa City starting in 1965, 14 years as CPE supervisor at Pine Rest Hospital in Grand Rapids, & many years as Director of Pastoral Care at the Crystal Cathedral in California.
He authored several books, contributed a weekly column to The Banner, and for many years led the annual International Care & Kindness Conference at the Crystal Cathedral, inspiring countless attendees to embrace Christian compassion in both words and actions.
Even in retirement, Jim continued mentoring, counseling, & supporting family, friends, & his community.
The timing of his passing on Random Acts of Kindness Day
poignantly mirrors the heart of his lifelong mission:
to model & promote Christ-centered
kindness & care for all.
Jim Kok will be remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, uncle, loyal friend, mentor, & servant of Christ. His life stands as a testament to faith, resilience through grief, & a steadfast commitment to loving & serving others.
Rest in peace, Jim. Your faith, care, & kindness,
will continue to bless the lives of many.
***************************
Subject: Invitation to Contribute a Final Farewell
(must be received by Thursday, March 5, 2026 per funeral home deadline)
(or if they are received later, maybe we can try to make special arrangements to include them)
Dear Family & Friends
As we prepare to honor and celebrate the life of our beloved father James R. Kok, we would like to invite each of you to contribute a final farewell to be placed with his casket for the March 21 burial. This can be a letter, a card, a favorite photo, or any fond sentiment you wish to express.
If your contribution can be typed or is a digital photo: Please email it to jkokccc@gmail.com.
One of us will take care of printing it.
If it is a card or other physical item: Please mail it (or deliver to):
16828 Chicago Ave
Bellflower, CA 90706
Be sure to mark the envelope "For the Casket" so it is handled appropriately.
We hope this gives everyone an opportunity to share memories, love, & gratitude, creating a lasting tribute that will accompany our beloved father (& grandfather, uncle, friend etc) in their final rest.
Thank you for taking part in this meaningful gesture. Your words, pictures, and sentiments will provide comfort & a lasting memory for all of us.
With love and remembrance,
The Kok Family
******
note: The formal term for items like notes, letters, cards, or small keepsakes placed in a casket "in loving memory" is generally funeral or burial memorabilia, but more specifically in mortuary and archival contexts they are often called casket or burial offerings. Other accepted terms include:
Casket letters – usually personal letters placed inside the casket.
Funeral keepsakes – more general term for cards, notes, or small mementos.
Memorial tributes – can include any written or symbolic items left with the deceased.
Interment items – a formal term in funeral service documents for things placed in the casket before burial.
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