John Roorda , April 23, 1949 — September 16, 2018

John Roorda, age 69, passed away Sunday, September 16, 2018 at his home in the Silverado Memory Care facility in Bellingham, WA. John was born in Bellingham, WA on April 23, 1949, the fourth of five children to Dutch immigrant parents, Theo (Theodore) and Fanny (Froukje) Roorda. John grew up in Everson, WA.

He graduated from Lynden Christian High School in 1967. After high school John attended Dordt College and was in the Army for a short time. He returned to Whatcom County where… Read More » he dairy farmed in Sumas and for a time was an owner of the Everson Auction Barn.

In 1990 he relocated with his brother Larry to Caldwell, Idaho where together they built “Roorda Dairy”. In 2007 Roorda Dairy relocated to Paullina, Iowa. In 2014 John moved back to Lynden.

John’s life revolved around dairy farming and family but most of all his faith. He most recently was a member of Lynden United Reformed Church. As his Alzheimers progressed he found comfort in the song “In Christ Alone My Hope is Found”.

John is preceded in death by his parents, niece Floreen Reitsema in 1964 and an infant nephew in 1984. John is survived by his siblings Bessie Reitsema of Abbotsford, BC, brothers Paul (Cheryl) of Everson, WA, Mike (Lin) of Lynden, WA, and Larry (Jayne) of Paullina, Iowa. John was a special uncle know as Uncle Johnny or JR to 18 nieces and nephews, 50 great nieces and nephews, and 6 great great nieces and nephews.

The family wished to thank the staff of Silverado for the exceptional love and care they have shown to our brother, uncle and friend for the last year and a half. You are invited to joining family for visitation on Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 3 to 5 pm at Gillies Funeral Home, 202 Front St., Lynden. Graveside will be at 10:15 a.m. in Monumenta Cemetery on Monday, September 24, 2018 followed by an 11 a.m. memorial service at Lynden United Reformed Church, 8650 Benson Rd, Lynden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Whatcom Hospice Foundation, 3001 Squalicum Pkwy Ste 11, Bellingham, WA 98225 You are invited to share your memories and condolences in the on-line Guest Book at www. GilliesFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

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