Louis Edward Kok, age 87, died on Jan. 27, 2017 after a brief illness.
Born on Feb. 18, 1929 to parents Ed and Grace (VanDalfsen) Kok, Lou was a Lynden native who saw the world and then came home. He and his seven siblings grew up on a dairy farm on the Jackman Road northwest of Lynden. Lou attended Ebenezer Christian School and Lynden High School (class of 1947). He lettered in baseball. In 1949 he went to Calvin College, where he met his future wife, Frances Burghgraef. Lou and Fran were married on Aug. 16, 1952. Lou graduated from Calvin College in 1953. He taught sixth grade at Lynden Christian School 1953-54, then went to Calvin Seminary 1954-57. He was ordained as a minister in the Christian Reformed Church and pastored Calvary Christian Reformed Church in South Seattle for four years. In 1962 Lou entered the chaplaincy of the U.S. Air Force, and he, Fran and their four children began their travels. Over his 27-year military career, Lou was stationed at KI Sawyer AFB, Marquette, MI (1962-64); Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK (1964-67); Key West Naval Air Station, Key West, FL (1967-70); Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX (1970); Tan Son Knut, Vietnam (1970-71); Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ (1971-76); Hancock Field, Syracuse, NY (1976-79); Izmir, Turkey (1979-81); McChord AFB, Tacoma, WA (1981-85); and Soesterberg Air Base, Camp New Amsterdam, the Netherlands (1985-88). Lou earned his master’s degree in counseling psychology from Chapman College in 1979.
In 1988 Lou retired from the Air Force, and he and Fran settled in Lynden. Lou worked part-time as ministries coordinator for First Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, for four years before fully retiring. Lou and Fran have belonged for many years to Bethel Christian Reformed Church, Lynden, of which Lou is a charter member. He participated in Bible studies and other activities for as long as his health permitted. Lou was a member of Lynden’s Breakfast Kiwanis for many years. He loved baseball and was an enthusiastic Seattle Mariners fan.
Lou was preceded in death by his son Daniel Kok; brothers Hip Kok and Ed Kok; brothers-in-law Jim Kaemingk Sr. and Maurice DeBoer; and sisters-in-law Alena Kok and Peggy Kok.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Frances Kok; his children, Kathleen Kok (Custer), Mavis and Randy Moon (San Jose, California), Joel and Tricia Kok (Toronto, Ontario), and Janette Kok (Lynden); eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; brothers Marv, John and Matt (Sheila) Kok; sisters Betty Kaemingk and Marcia DeBoer; sisters-in-law Toots Kok, Shirley Kok and Jeannette (Al) Smith. He was “Uncle Lou” to many nephews and nieces and their children.
You are invited to join the family in honoring Lou at a visitation time from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, in Gillies Funeral Home. A graveside service, with full military honors, will be held in Monumenta Cemetery at 1:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3, with the memorial service following at 2 p.m. in Bethel Christian Reformed Church 1105 Liberty St., Lynden, with Pastor Steve Van Noort officiating.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Ebenezer Christian School, 9390 Guide Meridian Rd., Lynden, WA 98264.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
