Gerald Lee Rozema passed away on August 4, 2025. He was born on October 13, 1939 in Holland, MI to Fred and Edith (Wolters) Rozema. He married Iris Faye Hopp on January 28, 1960. Together they shared 65 years of marriage and had 3 children.
Lee (as he was known to many) started his career at Short Cut Garage when he was just a teenager. As a young man, he developed a strong knowledge in auto mechanics. Most of his adult life was spent under the hood of a car. He had a 13 year career with RE Barber Ford before starting his own business. He opened Quality Brake in 1984 and finally retired in 2002. He was a reputable and respectable businessman, making lifelong friends along the way.
In his retirement years, he was anything but idle. He thrived on restoring classic cars, his favorite being his 1953 emerald green Mercury, a beauty which he proudly showed for about 20 years. It was his passion to drive that car to St. Ignace, MI every June for the classic car show. It became a family tradition to tag along. He also had a part-time job delivering car parts to local repair shops, where he could continue to meet people and make friends.
Early on, when their family was still young, Lee and Iris instilled a sense of adventure in their children, showing them how important it was to see and appreciate the country they live in. Many a road trip was planned and executed. They took their 3 children east, west, north, and south, visiting many of the national parks and local attractions along the way.
After their children were grown, Lee and Iris spent many years on their Honda Gold Wing touring the country with the best friends Ken and Marge. They had so many stories to tell and memories to share.
In his final years, home was the place to be. He enjoyed tinkering in his wood shop and riding his John Deere tractor while tending his large lawn. He was at his happiest when his buddies would just drop in to spend the afternoon with him in his garage, where they would swap stories until it was time to go. Now, it is his time to go. He was an exceptional man.
Lee was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Bethany Fay Rozema; brothers-in-law John Garvelink, Paul Teusink, Robert Hoezee, Jerry Barendse, and Arnie Hopp. He was also preceded by sisters-in-law Wanda Hopp and Bonnie Postma.
He is survived by his wife Iris; children Laurie (Linn) Boerman, Linda (Mike) Perry, and Thomas (Tammyjo) Rozema; grandchildren Brandy (Dave) Iacopelli, Kara Perry, Curtis (Rebecca) Perry, Sarren (Angel) Rozema, Skyeliegh Rozema; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sisters Carol Teusink, Barb Hoezeze; sisters-in-law Norma Barendse, Letty (Richard) Looman, Lynn (Kurt) Schaafsma, and brother-in-law David Postma.
A visitation for Gerald will be held on Sunday, August 10 from 2-4 PM at Lakeshore Memorial Services – 11939 James St. Holland, MI 49424. Private family burial will take place.
Comments