Jerry DeVries, who died May 30, was a gentle and humble pastor who served Christian Reformed congregations in the U.S. from coast to coast for over four decades.
Jerry grew up on a farm in Princeton, Minn. He contracted polio at age 7. When he left the hospital after six months of therapy, Jerry was given crutches but “forgot” to use them, eventually regaining enough strength to walk with a barely detectable limp and to do physically demanding work.
After studying engineering for two years at the University of Minnesota, Jerry transferred to Calvin College (now University), graduated from Calvin Seminary, and was ordained in 1967.
The chosen text at Jerry's ordination service was Isaiah 52. Jerry believed verse 7, “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news,” was divine confirmation of his calling. Even with differently sized, polio-afflicted feet, he could reflect Christ's beauty as he preached and pastored.
Jerry served Terra Ceia Christian Reformed Church, Pantego, N.C.; Alto (Wis.) CRC; Faith CRC, Kalamazoo, Mich.; Woden (Iowa) CRC; and Lafayette (Ind.) CRC. After retirement in 2004, Jerry and his wife moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., and served interim pastorates in Washington, Montana, and North Carolina.
While in Wisconsin, Jerry nurtured an emerging church in Beaver Dam and served as part-time chaplain at what was then called the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. In Kalamazoo he served as chaplain for the Alamo Township volunteer firefighters. For 25 years, he and Eileen were leaders for Engaged Encounter, marriage preparation retreats for couples. Jerry also served two terms on the board of trustees of Dordt University in Iowa.
Jerry's hobbies included reupholstering secondhand furniture, tending enormous vegetable gardens, and finding creative solutions for household or auto repairs.
Jerry is survived by Eileen, his wife of almost 61 years; three sons and their spouses; nine grandchildren; and two great-granddaughters.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.