Thomas Wayne Kuyt, 74, of Hudsonville, husband of former Penasee Globe reporter Sherry Kuyty, died Monday, April 4.Tom was a father of eight and grandfather of 15, and had been married to Sherry (Snider) for 47 years. The grandson of Dutch immigrants, Tom was the second son of Helen and Jack Kuyt, a WWII Army veteran, and he grew up in Wyoming, Mich.Tom developed his lifelong love of music, played clarinet and saxophone in band, and had a job copying blueprints before going to work for General Motors. He joined the Navy during the Vietnam War. He achieved the Sailor of the Quarter award and turned down an invitation to serve on the President’s yacht. Instead, he served as an air crewman aboard the aircraft carriers U.S.S. Intrepid and U.S.S. Saratoga.Re-joining General Motors, Tom advanced steadily, profiting from the technical classes he had taken in the Navy. He was eventually responsible for designing, programming, and servicing the robotic assembly line.He enjoyed living in the country, helping with his wife’s garden and rabbit business, and putting together numerous toys every Christmas Eve.After retiring from GM, he worked for ReSource Industries alongside his brother, Paul, and helped to train a new generation of professional employees. When not working, Tom enjoyed playing racquetball, taking motorcycle trips with his best friend, Wayne Holbrook, and sailing on Center Lake at his family’s cabin. He also served many years as a sound technician in church, and played bass guitar for the band Echo of Light.In recent years, as they faced Tom’s cancer diagnosis and COVID restrictions, the couple found ways to keep enjoying life and ministry. They continued serving in church, making meals for others, holding family gatherings over Zoom, and taking trips as they were able. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Helen Kuyt. He is survived by three brothers, Timothy, Henry, and Paul; his wife, Sherry; and his children, Joanne Morris, Eileen King, Jonathan Kuyt, Loraine Hitt, Jason Kuyt, Alisa Nelson, Jennifer Kuyt, and Lindsey Burkey, along with their spouses; grandchildren: Brooke, Zoey, Faith and Charles Morris; Taylor and Hailey Bergakker; David and Kristi Kuyt; Samuel and Caleb Hitt; Kolton and Alexis Noble; and Juliette, Lillian, and Quintin Burkey.A public memorial service is planned for Saturday, April 9 at Rosewood Church, 2795 Rosewood St. in Jenison. Visitation will begin at 10a.m., followed by the service at 11.Donations to Rosewood Church are encouraged to purchase a new keyboard for the church music team.
