Thomas Degroot

Thomas Degroot, age 76, died peacefully on August 24, 2021 at the Christian Health Care Center in Lynden, Washington following a stroke.

Tom was born to Luitzen and Pietje Degroot on September 11, 1944 in Long Beach, California. His family moved between the Netherlands and America many times in his younger years.

On May 27, 1966, Tom married Jackie Nauta in Artesia, California. Together they spent 55 wonderful years sharing life and building a dairy business.

They farmed in Enumclaw, Washington for three years where their son Ed was born. In 1970, they fell in love with the Lynden area and bought a dairy on the Guide Meridian and later on to the Birch Bay Lynden Road. Eventually, their son Ed joined the family business. In 2005, they moved the dairy to Mountain Home, Idaho and divided their time between both places. In their retirement, they enjoyed many trips to Friesland visiting family and riding their bikes.

Tom loved his family and getting together with his friends. He was a world history buff and an avid soccer fan to the end.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Luitzen and Pietje Degroot and his sister Shirley Bartsma. He is survived by his wife Jackie, son Ed (Alicia), his grandsons Caleb (Brooke) and Steven, and siblings Jake (Anna) and Louie.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Faith Reformed Church, 300 7th Street, Lynden. You are invited to participate by watching the memorial service live streamed at www.facebook.com/GilliesFuneralHomeAndCremationServices. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Project Hope, 205 South BC Avenue Suite 117, Lynden WA, 98264

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.