I would like to speak for my friend, John LaGrand.
He died of a brain tumor five years ago at the age of 62.
He was one of the best people i have known. I was privileged to be his friend from the time we met in 6th grade at Oakdale until his death. He was brilliant, talented, enthusiastic, energetic, friendly, sensitive. He was fun to be with.
He attended Calvin where his activities ranged from editing Chimes to swimming butterfly on the Swim team. He received a Woodrow Wilson Scholarship and studied history at Harvard Graduate School for 7 years. He taught History at Carelton University in Ottawa, Ontario for many years. He then returned to Michigan to join his father's lumber company where he managed several lumberyards and brokered hardwoods to furniture factories.
He married Julie Braun in 1965; they were a great couple. Tragically she died of a sudden cerebral hemorrage 2 years before he did. They were blessed with 3 wonderful children:
Jim, a history professor at Messiah college. He is married and they have 3 children.
Ann, a high school teacher and is married to Eric Arnoys, a chemistry professor at Calvin College. They have one daughter.
Joe, who is married and is studying Urban Planing at the Pratt Institute in New York City.
John enjoyed life. He also faced his illness with courage and grace.
James VanderMeer
I would like to speak for my friend, John LaGrand.
He died of a brain tumor five years ago at the age of 62.
He was one of the best people i have known. I was privileged to be his friend from the time we met in 6th grade at Oakdale until his death. He was brilliant, talented, enthusiastic, energetic, friendly, sensitive. He was fun to be with.
He attended Calvin where his activities ranged from editing Chimes to swimming butterfly on the Swim team. He received a Woodrow Wilson Scholarship and studied history at Harvard Graduate School for 7 years. He taught History at Carelton University in Ottawa, Ontario for many years. He then returned to Michigan to join his father's lumber company where he managed several lumberyards and brokered hardwoods to furniture factories.
He married Julie Braun in 1965; they were a great couple. Tragically she died of a sudden cerebral hemorrage 2 years before he did. They were blessed with 3 wonderful children:
Jim, a history professor at Messiah college. He is married and they have 3 children.
Ann, a high school teacher and is married to Eric Arnoys, a chemistry professor at Calvin College. They have one daughter.
Joe, who is married and is studying Urban Planing at the Pratt Institute in New York City.
John enjoyed life. He also faced his illness with courage and grace.
He was a great companion.
I miss him.
jim vandermeer