Gerald "Jerry" Karl Stuyvesant

Jerry was born on January 27, 1944, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Christopher and Tena Stuyvesant, the oldest son of five children. After graduating from Grand Rapids Christian High School, Jerry met and married the love of his life, Shirley Kingman, on August 22, 1964. They were married for more than 50 years until Shirley passed away from ALS on July 10, 2018. During their marriage, Jerry and Shirley had three children, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild.

During his lifetime, Jerry worked as a home builder and general contractor before moving into pattern making for tool and die shops. After he and Shirley retired to Cary, North Carolina, Jerry spent his time golfing, playing pickle ball, and attending his youngest grandchildren’s various sports events. Jerry was always quick with a joke and a pickle ball paddle, but his great joy was being “Grandpa Jerry.”

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Shirley, his sister Jean Feist, his brother Tom Stuyvesant, and his cherished granddaughter, Courtney Lynn Valenzuela (Christopher). Jerry is survived by his three children, Cindy Stuyvesant (George Paleologos), Greg Stuyvesant (Michelle), and Todd Stuyvesant (Jennifer), four grandchildren, Jarod Stuyvesant (Angelle), Stella Paleologos, Owen Stuyvesant and Ella Stuyvesant, his great grandchild, Annaleigh Valenzuela, his sister, Judi Van Ham (Terry), his brother, Jim Stuyvesant, and many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral services are pending with Mattysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive, Grandville, MI 49418, with internment at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.