James LaGrand, age 74, died on July 4, 2015. James was born in Grand Rapids to James and Katherine LaGrand, and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School and Calvin College. James married Virginia Vander Meer in June of 1963, and shortly thereafter moved to Zaria, Nigeria where both James and Virginia taught for two years at St. Paul’s College. He earned an MA in English Literature from the University of Michigan, and completed theological studies at Yale Divinity School (BDiv 1968) and Calvin… Theological Seminary (ThM 1969). With energy and imagination, James served three Christian Reformed congregations: Garfield CRC, Chicago, Illinois (1969-1974); All Nations CRC, Halifax, NS (1977-1987); and Beacon Light CRC, Gary, IN, (1993-2006). During study leaves in England (1974-1977) and Basel, Switzerland (1987-1988) he worked toward his PhD, which he received Magna Cum Laude, under Marcus Barth in Basel, Switzerland. His thesis was published by the University of South Florida (and later by Eerdmans) as The Earliest Christian Mission To All Nations. James was fearless, energetic, and passionate in pursuit of the gospel’s mandates. His devotion to Christ defined his life, and this love called him to preach the gospel in word and deed. He worked for the integrity of the Church’s witness to the Gospel, whether in the text of the Heidelberg Catechism, the fight for racial integration in Chicago area Christian schools in the 1970s, the integration of women in church office, or for disentangling ties between the Christian Reformed Church of North America and Apartheid South Africa. James was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was eager to learn, discuss, and work with others for Shalom. Fiercely loyal and pastoral, he excelled at caring for others and defined integrity for those fortunate enough to know him. James was preceded in death by his parents, James and Katherine, and his brother John. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Virginia; siblings Mary (Henry) Bouma, Sharon (Ed) Start, and Paul (Kathy); sons David (Melissa), John (Patricia), Paul (Sarah) and Peter (Kristen); and eleven grandchildren: Lydia (Alex) Bouwhuis, and John, Isaac, Isaiah, Gabriel, Helen, Susan, Reilly, Julia, Moses, and Mahalia LaGrand. Funeral services will be held 11:00 am on Friday, July 10, at Grace Christian Reformed Church (100 Buckley St., SE, 49503). Visitation will be held at Zaagman Memorial Chapel (2800 Burton St. SE) Thursday, July 9, 2-4 & 6-8 pm as well as one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Interment will be at Garfield Park Cemetery.