A faithful servant of God with a pastor's heart and a gift for public prayer, Phil Kok died Jan. 23, 10 months after receiving a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer.
Born and raised in Grand Rapids, Mich., Kok was part of a family of pastors with two uncles, two brothers, and a son all serving in the ministry. After working in the food and print industries for a few years, as well as serving honorably in the National Guard, Kok returned to school, attending Dordt College (now University) and then Calvin Seminary.
After graduation and ordination in 1971, Kok served the following churches: First Christian Reformed Church, Sioux Falls, S. Dak.; Living Faith Community, San Diego, Calif.; East Leonard CRC, Grand Rapids, Mich.; First CRC, Lynden, Wash.; and Almond Valley CRC, Ripon, Calif.
After retirement in 2006 he served nine churches in Iowa, Michigan, and California as an interim pastor. He concluded his ministry by returning to Almond Valley CRC as pastor of visitation, until his illness prevented him from continuing.
Kok was an avid golfer and enjoyed going out for dinner and playing card games with close friends.
He is survived by his wife Joyce, five children and spouses, and 11 grandchildren.
About the Author
A former nurse and chaplain, Janet Greidanus is a freelance news correspondent and long-time writer of the In Memoriam column for The Banner.
