Ronald J Boomstra

Ron Boomstra was called to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 27, 2025 at the age of 83, while surrounded by family, after a short health battle. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI to Neil and Agnes Boomstra. He graduated from Calvin College and later received his Masters Degree in Business from the University of Missouri. He also graduated with highest honors from the Air Force Officer Training School at Lackland AFB, TX; spent 4 years as a Communications Officer at FE Warren AFB in Cheyenne, WY; graduated at the top of his class at the Language Institute at Presidio of Monterey, CA; served 3 years with the Inter-American Air Forces Academy at Albrook AFB in Panama, training international officers; and commanded a Missile Combat Crew for 6 years in an underground Minuteman Missile Launch capsule at Whiteman AFB in MO, winning awards for Best Crew Commander. Ron then transitioned to civilian employment as a Systems Analyst at Consumers Energy in Jackson, MI, also joining the Air National Guard. He retired from the Guard and Consumers in the early 2000s. 

Ron was a member of Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and men's quartet for many years, helped at the church missions garage sales, and worked on many projects with the Men of Action Group, including building wheelchair ramps and helping people relocate. He also volunteered for Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan’s Purse, and the VITA Program, preparing taxes through Community Action. Ron served in Guatemala with HELPS International on 25 medical mission trips, assisting his lifelong friend Dr. Art Wierenga with eye surgeries and interpreting between Spanish and English. He was an avid woodworker, hunter, gardener and puzzle-solver.

He will be greatly missed by his family: Pam, his loving wife of 58 years, children Becky (Bob) Georgeff, Andy (Susan) Boomstra, Anita (Dan) Baergen, Kimberly (Lee) Vroman and Anna; grandchildren Hannah, Peter (Alisa), Peter (Joslyn), Katrina, Jesse (Megan), Andy, Jared, Heidi, Joshua, and Clara; great-grandchildren, Zeke, Jack, Sophie, and Lydia; his three brothers Jerry (Millie), Dan and Tim (Barb) Boomstra; and special friends, Wayne and Dottie Miller.

Donations in Ron's memory may be made to BibleLeague.org or to the local HELPS team for medical supplies.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 6, at 10:00am at Watson Funeral Chapel in Jackson, MI, followed by a Celebration of Homegoing at 11:00am. Friends and family are invited to Fort Custer National Cemetery near Battle Creek at 2:00 pm for interment with full Air Force honors. 

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