Gerrit Graaf

Gerrit de Graaf Gerrit de Graaf, 82, of Ransom Canyon, Texas went to meet his Lord and Savior on February 7, 2011. He was born on June 18, 1928 in Leiderdorp, Netherlands and immigrated to California in 1948. Anna Mae was 14 years old and told her girlfriend about the “cutest green Dutchman” that she’d met at church and she knew she would marry him someday. They married in 1953. Gerrit was a dairyman in California until 1997 when they moved to El Paso, TX then Roswell, NM and most recently, Ransom Canyon, TX. They were active members of every church they attended. At each of those churches, he was likely the choir’s loudest tenor. Gerrit was drafted into the US ARMY in 1951. Shortly after he proposed to Anna Mae, he was sent to serve in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1953 and married his “Annie” that same year. They have been blessed with a family of 48 loved ones. His favorite things were the color yellow, riding bikes, the USA, “Mc Donald” coffee, writing poems, his Dutch heritage, flying kites, buttermilk, the dairy, singing, planting sunflowers, his kids, grandkids, great grandkids, his Anna Mae and most importantly his Savior, Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Anna Mae; his 5 children - Gary & Donna de Graaf of Pixley, CA; Debbi and Larry Kelley of Roswell, NM; Brad & Barb Bouma of Ransom Canyon, TX; Jon & Carolyn Veenendaal of Plainview, TX; and Brian & Linda de Graaf of Dexter, NM; 15 grandchildren and soon-to-be 15 great grandchildren. The graveside service will be held at South Park Cemetery in Roswell for family and close friends. A celebration service of his well-lived life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Dexter, NM at 2pm on Monday, February 14th, 2011. Pallbearers will be his 10 grandsons. Memorial donations can be made to Gideons of Roswell, “adopt an orphan” through Operation HOPE (operationhopeusa.org), World Vision or the charity of your choice. Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories with the family in the online register book at andersonbethany.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson Bethany Funeral Home and Crematory.

Gerrit Graaf

June 18, 1928 - February 7, 2011