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John VanderKam of Kerrville Texas went to the Lord on June 18, 2025, in Kerrville. Texas. He was born in the suburb of Downers Grove Chicago to Arend and Anna VanderKam on July 29, 1936. John is survived by his wife Gaylyn Dieringer, married on February 14, 2003.
John was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the Army, with an honorable discharge. After his military service, John worked for the Huffy Corporation as a Tool and Die maker, where they produced twenty-two thousand bikes per day. Working his way up, John later became CEO of Huffy Sports. John was an avid golfer, hunter, car enthusiast, and inventor. He received numerous trophies and accolades for his cars and was active in car shows and their associated charities in the central Texas area. In his career as an engineer and leader, John penned patents for the recumbent tricycle and the freestanding basketball hoop.
In the last weeks of John’s life, he was able to say good-bye to his friends and family, professed his love for his family and the Lord, and could not have asked for a better life after eighty-eight years.
John was preceded in death by his siblings Jacque Farrell, Betty Sayers, Pete VanderKam, Arden Roy and grandson, Brian LaDue.
Survivors include his wife Gaylyn Dieringer, his children son John Eric VanderKam, daughter Melinda LaDue and husband Jack LaDue, and Bing VanderKam, step-children Derek Dieringer and wife Katie Dieringer, Collin Dieringer and wife Linley Dieringer, and his grandchildren Brandon, Katelynn and husband Dylan Thompson Jackson, Maggie, Molly, Tucker, and Harper, and his great-grandchildren Marissa Sell-LaDue, Landon LaDue and Owynn, Kash, Kennedy, Paisley Thompson.
Memorials may be given to the Hill Country Veteran’s Center, 411 Meadow View Lane, Kerrville, Texas 78028, in memory of John VanderKam.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Kerrville VA hospital and New Century Hospice for the tremendous help they have provided to the end.
John was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the Army, with an honorable discharge. After his military service, John worked for the Huffy Corporation as a Tool and Die maker, where they produced twenty-two thousand bikes per day. Working his way up, John later became CEO of Huffy Sports. John was an avid golfer, hunter, car enthusiast, and inventor. He received numerous trophies and accolades for his cars and was active in car shows and their associated charities in the central Texas area. In his career as an engineer and leader, John penned patents for the recumbent tricycle and the freestanding basketball hoop.
In the last weeks of John’s life, he was able to say good-bye to his friends and family, professed his love for his family and the Lord, and could not have asked for a better life after eighty-eight years.
John was preceded in death by his siblings Jacque Farrell, Betty Sayers, Pete VanderKam, Arden Roy and grandson, Brian LaDue.
Survivors include his wife Gaylyn Dieringer, his children son John Eric VanderKam, daughter Melinda LaDue and husband Jack LaDue, and Bing VanderKam, step-children Derek Dieringer and wife Katie Dieringer, Collin Dieringer and wife Linley Dieringer, and his grandchildren Brandon, Katelynn and husband Dylan Thompson Jackson, Maggie, Molly, Tucker, and Harper, and his great-grandchildren Marissa Sell-LaDue, Landon LaDue and Owynn, Kash, Kennedy, Paisley Thompson.
Memorials may be given to the Hill Country Veteran’s Center, 411 Meadow View Lane, Kerrville, Texas 78028, in memory of John VanderKam.
The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the Kerrville VA hospital and New Century Hospice for the tremendous help they have provided to the end.