James J. Vander Horst

Jim and Carol were involved in our lives when my brother, John, and I were young boys. This goes back to the 1950s, when we all attended Alger Park Christian reformed church. They remain wonderful memories. The picture below, from 1957, is how Jim and Carol would have remembered us.

Wonderful man....rescued my wife and brought her home after she was stuck on Westnedge hill one winter.

Jim and Carol were friends of our family in the 1950's, when we attended Alger Park Christian Reformed Church. Jim befriended my brother, John, and me when we were young boys. Often in the summertime, he would take us in his Cadillac to baseball games, then out for ice cream. He and Carol were unable to have children at the time, and John and I became like their surrogate children. We both have very fond memories of those days. As I recall, Jim was a buyer for A&P stores at the...

My condolences to the family. My name is Maarten Bos and my mother was a first cousin to Jim. Tante Alie was my great aunt and my grandmother's sister. I met him two or three times when I visited Tante Alie. Nita Ruimveld knows who I am.

Sue and Sandie,
Phil and I are sending you love, care and concern for the loss of your Dear Father.
Know we remember all of the interactions we had with Him and your Dear Mother.
We too treasure the relationship you have with Julie.
Love, Phil and Sandy

Your parents were among the very best people who have walked this earth. Peace. Amy Burch

I worked for Jim for 10 years at the Chicken Coop restaurants as I was finishing High School and going to college. Everyone who met Jim knew within minutes he was dedication to his family and faith. I will forever be indebted to his kindness and generosity.

Tom and Janie and rest of the family. Paula and I are praying for you all, and express our deepest sympathy to you in the loss of your dad. We both had opportunities to work for your father and were taught many life lessons at an early age. Managing many chicken coops over the years, it was a great honor to have known Jim. He was a great Christian man, and I am proud to have worked for him.
Jeff and Paula Nagel

Mr. Vander Horst was my Sunday School teacher in 1993-94, which in title misses a lot of what he was to the fifth grade boys he taught. He was one of the nicest and kindest men in the church. As we worked through our one-year bible lessons and studies, we built model airplanes and cars, got to see the planes he flew (the model Mustang and the ultralights), and even learned what was needed to run a restaurant as he took us to see one of his locations working, even putting us too work a little....