James Robert Kok

Rev. James “Jim” Kok, passed away on July 3, 2022 at the Clermont Park Health Suites. He was 90 years old. Jim was born on Aug. 29, 1931 in Grand Rapids, MI. He grew up with 4 brothers and a sister. His dad owned a bakery where Jim remembered going in early before school to fill crème puffs.

Music was a big part of his life, an interest shared with his parents and siblings. As a boy soprano, Jim sang at church, for family weddings and was even invited to sing on the radio several times. Up until the last days of his life, he took great delight in singing hymns, leading with his strong voice.

While at a church Young People’s convention, Jim met the love of his life, Eleanor Koster. They were set up by a friend who knew that Jim was short (at the time) and the girl he knew was short as well! Their first date was to the symphony and then 6 months later he asked her out again. He admired her willingness to talk about her life and future, and he cherished the friendship they had. They married on August 22, 1952, just a few days shy of his 21st birthday.

Jim’s pastor first planted the seed that he should consider going into the ministry during a high school group Bible Study. His father encouraged him in this, so after receiving a pre-seminary degree at Calvin University, Jim went on to study at Calvin Seminary and Westminster Seminary, graduating in 1956. In January of that same year, Jim and Eleanor welcomed their first daughter, Kathy.

Jim first served a church in Chino, California, where in September 1956 he was ordained into the ministry of the Protestant Reformed Church. Two more children were born in Chino, a daughter Cheri and a son, Jim. The family took a call to Manhattan, Montana in 1960. While there, Jim was admitted to the ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.

After three more years in Montana, and two more children, son Tom and daughter Barb, the family moved to Paterson, New Jersey. Son Ron was born here, completing the family: 3 daughters and 3 sons!

In 1968, Jim responded to a call to lead a growing church in Grand Rapids, MI, Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church. The opportunity to lead an urban church in the midst of the Civil Rights era was both exciting and exhausting, but he relished being involved in the leadership of both community and denomination.

In 1972, Jim moved the family to Denver, accepting a call to the Third Christian Reformed Church. While the family had averaged 4 year stays everywhere they went, in Denver they found a longer-term home. Jim led this congregation for nearly 19 years, establishing some deep relationships that lasted until the time of his death. He enjoyed two sabbatical leaves during his time in Denver, traveling to the Free University of Edinburgh, Scotland and to Cambridge University in England.

For the last years of Jim’s career, he and Eleanor traveled Northern and Central California in Jim’s position as Classical Interim Pastor, providing leadership and healing to churches that had lost their pastors or were struggling with difficult issues. The leadership skills he had developed through his years of ministry provided hope and guidance to these churches and their leaders.

All along the way, Jim had a wonderfully faithful, kind companion in his wife Eleanor. He would often attribute his success to her ability to know and care for people wherever they went. She became as much a part of the ministry as he was. They loved to travel together with friends, around the US and to many foreign countries.

After retiring from this “final” ministry position in 1997, Jim and Eleanor moved to Ripon, California and became part of the Bethany Christian Retirement Community. Jim served as on-site Chaplain, providing Worship services, leading Bible studies and providing a listening ear and compassionate heart for the community.

Having failed their first retirement, he and Eleanor tried again, moving to Denver to reconnect with family and friends. They settled in a home owned by Christian Living Communities–Clermont Park, where they knew many of the residents. Almost immediately, he took up his “work” again, visiting residents and participating in the leadership of Worship and Bible Studies.

About this time, Eleanor began to experience symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, which would eventually take her life. She died in the Health Suites at Clermont Park in December of 2012, and Jim moved into an independent apartment at Clermont Park. Here he continued doing what he loved so well, being a pastor to the community and supporting the chaplain. His voice was recognizable to all, speaking or singing, as were his (often) too speedy trips down the halls on his scooter.

Jim joined the Clermont Park Showstoppers Choir, and performed in a number of the musical productions there. He regularly led the Friday afternoon Chapel services, two Bible studies, and chaired the Spiritual Welfare Committee. He became known as a voice of wisdom for the community, and freely gave of his time to all who needed it. He continued to serve in these ways until shortly before his death. Increasing health issues, including a stroke, greatly weakened him, and he closed his eyes for the last time on Sunday morning, July 3, when he joined the heavenly chorus.

Jim loved his family and was proud of their lives and accomplishments. Survivors include his 6 children and their spouses, 18 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and so many friends and neighbors who were touched by his life.

He'll be remembered as a pastor who loved the church, as a mentor to so many young pastors, as a man who loved and cared for people, as a dear friend, as an example of Christian caring who touched so many lives, and notably as a guy who loved a cup of hot coffee. His family and friends celebrate a blessed life, well-lived, and now welcomed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus.

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news!