John "Jack" M. Damstra

Aged 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Saturday, March 18, 2017.

Jack graduated in 1947 from Central High School & attended Grand Rapids Junior College.  He was a home builder in Grand Rapids with his father & brother from 1947 – 1962.  He then worked in the kitchen design business for 6 years before opening his own business Gallery of Kitchens, Inc. Grand Rapids.  Many of the homes in EGR boast his uniquely designed kitchens. In later years daughter Diane & son Steve joined him in running the successful family business.

Jack was a kind & generous man who was loved by his family & everyone he met. He enjoyed entertaining friends & family at the Silver Lake cottage he & best friend Chuck Weaver built. He enjoyed golfing, boating, road trips with his wife Jane, writing poetry, reading, drawing & painting. He will be missed most for his upbeat disposition, incredible kindness to everyone he ever encountered, his constant singing & whistling, & his clever puns.

He was a member of Park Congregational Church for 67 years where he held several positions but his favorite being a Sunday school teacher. He was a member of many community & industry organizations.

Jack was a combat veteran of the Korean War serving as a machine-gunner (B.A.R.) He was awarded two bronze star medals & the Purple Heart for wounds received in the Battle for Triangle Hill in North Korea.

Jack was preceded in death by his wife of 36 years Lorayne Damstra, brother Richard Damstra & two great grandchildren Taylor Nicole Perry & Cole Marko Santo.

He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Jane (Hackbardt) Damstra, daughter Diane (Mark) Carpenter, son Steve Damstra (Robin Spring),  son David (Dianna) Damstra; Step-children Tom (Deb) Hackbardt, Marcelle Hackbart (Garr Uram), Tim (Michelle) Hackbardt;  grandchildren Nicole (Steve) Santo, Tamara (Chad) White , Christopher Palazzolo, Paul Damstra (Carzenei Rose) , Aubrey (Dustin) Zmrzlik, step-grandchildren Jim (Leslie) Hackbardt, Jenny (Joey) Palmer, Zoe Hackbardt, Alexandra Hackbardt, Weston Uram; Great grandchildren, Ana, Avery, Sofia, Luke, Giovani, Jeremiah, Lailah, Jordan & twin boys on the way, special friends Chuck & Eloise Weaver

Honoring Jack’s wishes, cremation has taken place. 

 Service Information