James Andrew Bonnema, age 92, of Grand Rapids, Michigan passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026, in Coopersville, MI.

Born on June 26, 1934 in Denver, Colorado, to Agnes and Henry Bonnema, he spent his early years helping out at their family-owned neighborhood market in Denver. He graduated from Calvin College and Seminary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He then pastored a church in South Windsor, Connecticut for a number of years. After returning to Grand Rapids, he worked for many years at Highland Chrysler Plymouth.

He was known for his love for reading and travel. He spent a year studying in the Netherlands, took a solo trip to Russia in the 1960s and later traveled multiple times to South Africa where he met up with long lost relatives and organized numerous family reunions. He also found joy in volunteering for many years at the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Grand Rapids and spent several years there as a Trustee.

He was preceded in death by his son Brent Bonnema, his wife Bonnie, his parents and four siblings. He is survived by his children Laurie (Bart) Siebring of Winston Salem, North Carolina, Mark (Chris) Bonnema of Grand Rapids, Michigan, their mother Doris, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, as well as step children and their families.

A private graveside service will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Heart felt thanks to the kind staff of Fountain View Assisted Living in Coopersville who cared for him as well as the team at West Michigan Hospice.