Thomas Dale Sytsma

Thomas Dale Sytsma, age 40, went to be with his Lord Monday, January 15, 2024. He was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Dena (Wiersma) Buist, Alice (Bronsink) Buist, Gerald and Gertrude (DeVries) Sytsma.

Tom will be lovingly remembered by Candice; their sons Matthew and Andrew; his parents Ron and Arlene Sytsma; siblings Angie and Steve Leedy (Myra, Aaron, Ruby, Etta), Tami Sytsma and Jason Batts (Otto, Eliza), Jon and Kristy Sytsma (Emma, Anna, Gracelyn); many uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.

Growing up in Byron Center, Tom was an active part of his community. He attended Byron Center Christian School and graduated from South Christian in 2002 where he enjoyed some glory days of playing football. He then went to Calvin College. There he made many lasting friendships and some of his best memories while wakeboarding on Gun Lake. In 2009, he married Candice Grasmeyer and lived in Grand Rapids while working with his dad and sister, Tami, at The Sytsma Group. Tom thrived on making connections and growing relationships with the community and participated in several organizations for small family businesses in the Grand Rapids area. In 2014 and 2016 Tom and Candi welcomed their two sons, Matthew Dale and Andrew James into the family, and moved back to Byron Center. Tom was an active dad and loved cooking, grilling (only the best local cuts), hosting, fireside chats, and playing games with the boys and friends. Tom was a good man who loved the Lord, his family, his friends, and his children with all his heart, and he will be greatly missed.

Visitation will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, January 21, 2024 at Cook Funeral Home, 2067 84th St. SW, Byron Center, Michigan. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, January 22 at Heritage Christian Reformed Church, 3089 84th St. SW, Byron Center, Michigan, with visitation 10-10:45 a.m. prior to service. Pastor Daniel Mouw will officiate.

In honor of Tom, contributions may be made to Byron Center Christian School. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresbyron.com in their guest book online.