David Van Laar Jr.

Van Laar, David Jr. Colorado Springs, CO formerly of Kalamazoo Passed away Thursday, July 23, 2015 at the age of 91 in Colorado Springs, CO. David was born in Kalamazoo on April 4, 1924, to David & Hendrika (Wilgenhof) Van Laar, who immigrated to the United States from the Netherlands in 1912. David graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School in January 1943. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Navigator on B-24 bombers in the Pacific Theater; (Philippines and Okinawa), and as part of the Allied occupation of Japan. He was united in marriage to Donna Jean Giles on Sept. 7, 1947. David remained in the U. S. Air Force Reserves until 1961; worked locally for Locke Films, and later was owner of D & D Photo Center. He was a member of and projectionist for I.A.T.S.E. Local #188 Projectionist and Stagehand Union. He was preceded in death by his wife Donna, daughter Suellen Poortvliet, two brothers William and Henry Van Laar, two sisters Garda Nordyke and Caroline Whitlock, and a grand-daughter Kelley Branam. David is survived by a daughter Leanne (Robert) Uttmark, of St. Louis, MO; and a son Charles David (Joyce) Van Laar of Colorado Springs, CO; seven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 28, 2015 from 6-8 PM. A private interment service for family will be held at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. The family requests that memorial donations be made to: Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation, 2550 Tenderfoot Hill St., Colorado Springs, CO 80906, or the charity of one's choice. Family and friends may share a condolence message online at www.joldersma-klein.com.