John Raymond Kroeze

      John Raymond Kroeze was a natural leader whose winning presence allowed him to take control of various situations with ease. Equipped with a clear and calculating focus, he possessed a tough-minded, “take charge” attitude. He had the ability to make even routine situations seem exciting, and he was at ease with the role of playing problem solver. John always sought out the scene of where the action was. Sociable, analytical and pleasant, John was an individual who enjoyed life’s challenges.

       His parents were Henry and Marie Kroeze. John was raised in Paramount, California. Always able to express himself well, John possessed strong interpersonal skills. He was optimistic in his outlook on life and was able at all times to be open and direct in his communication. Armed with a great wit, John was raised to be accepting of others and to implement a strong personal work ethic.

      Blessed with a balanced attitude, John was able to relate well with others. His occasional role as family mediator gave him the opportunity to ease tense situations when they occurred. John was raised with three brothers. He had an older brother, Ralph, and two younger brothers, Calvin and Wesley. John had a strong desire to be treated fairly and would readily offer others the same fairness in return.

      Known to others as a focused, logical, open-minded and somewhat driven individual, John was able to utilize these qualities to succeed in high school. His curious nature was spurred by his ability to maximize his personal learning style through employing a hands-on approach. He was good with facts and had an excellent memory. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Although Jonn did not go to a traditional college, he always said he went to the college of "hard knocks".

      On October 11, 1946 John exchanged wedding vows with Marie Hermana Verhoeven at the home of Marie's parent's in Bellflower, California. John was attentive to Marie's feelings, and he charmed Marie and others with his gift for being able to give freely and generously. A good listener with an engaging personality, John was able to bring pleasure and unexpected humor to the relationship.

      Very much like a kid himself, John identified with the inquisitive and creative side of his children’s personalities. He was able to direct his energy and spontaneity towards helping his children acquire added common sense skills. John was blessed with three children, two sons, Dennis and Les and one daughter, Cathi. They were also blessed with six grandchildren and ten great grandchildren, Jeff, Michael, Shelli, Marc, Rachel, and David.

      John was a flexible worker who was able to draw the best from others around him. A persuasive individual who was quick to make necessary decisions, John’s strengths included being able to think on his feet. He could be a leader who sought impact for his decisions. Gifted with an incredible ability to read body language, John was able to positively manipulate situations and motivate others in order to get a task completed. He was a good negotiator who enjoyed new challenges. John could multi-task, and he was endowed with entrepreneurial spirit, allowing him to think beyond standard norms when it came to resolving issues in his work environment. John was self employed as the owner of Kroeze Dairy Supplies and Equipment for 45 years.

      John was an U. S. Navy veteran. John was a cool thinker who could handle himself well in a crisis. He was in the Navy from 1942 to 1946 and was stationed in Hawaii and San Diego. John saw action for World War II. He achieved the rank of Aviation Metalsmith 2nd Class. He showed leadership qualities and could make tough decisions when he was called upon to do so.

      John enjoyed his leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. He put this creativity toward all of his pastimes. His favorite pursuits were hunting, fishing, bowling, and golfing. He was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

      Because he liked to take risks, John was a perfect match for athletics and exercise. He was enthusiastic and confident about these activities. Recreational sports included hunting, fishing, bowling, and golfing. John was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were basketball, football, and golf.

      John held close traditional values and as a result, faith was important to him. He was a member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Bellflower for 62 years.

      Travel and vacations were experiences that John truly enjoyed. He preferred to seek out excitement wherever he went and he was partial to vacations that were casual and laid back with an atmosphere of “live and let live.” He was willing to leave his plans open and flexible, just in case something more interesting came along. Favorite vacations included fishing in the "High Sierras", Panama Cruise, Europe, Hawaii, and New Zealand.

      John was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. John’s favorites were his hunting dogs, Little John, Benji, and Chap.

      When John’s retirement finally came in John sold his buisness in 1990, but continued to work as a consultant for several years. He used logical analysis of his retirement options in order to ensure his retirement would be fulfilling. Still, he was able to easily adapt to possible changes and enjoyed just having fun and being relaxed. In retirement, he found new pleasure in golf and bowling.

      John passed away on January 20, 2009 at The Artesia Christian Home, Artesia, California. He struggled with Parkinson's disease for many years before passing. He is survived by his wife Marie, sons Dennis and Les, daughter cathi, six grandchilren, and ten great grandchildren. Services were held at The First Christian Reformed Church of Bellflower. John was laid to rest at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, California.

      John was the kind of person who could win others over easily. A concrete communicator, he relied on his senses to increase his involvement and awareness of others. He was always able to provide amusing repartee to his friends and acquaintances, offering a seemingly endless supply of quips, anecdotes, jokes and stories. If John had a theme song written about him, it might well have been “Don’t Worry, Be Happy.” He enjoyed his life and the experience of living it. This is how everyone will remember John Raymond Kroeze.