Roy Stanley Lakanen

Roy Lakanen, a resident of the Grand Rapids area for over sixty years, and a lifelong resident of Michigan, died peacefully on February 24, 2015. He was 88 years old. Roy was preceded in death by his wife of 20 years, Lorelei, and the mother of his five children, Bette I. Lakanen (Keil). He was born in Humboldt, Michigan, to Axel and Ida Lakanen (Kurtii) and was a sibling to seven brothers and sisters. He is survived by his brother Robert and Sister Dorothy Hilliard, both of Muskegon. He was loved by his five children and their spouses, and seven grandchildren. They all survive him and include John Lakanen and wife Katrina of Naples, Florida and granddaughter Jennifer; son Eric and his wife Penny of Rockford; son Brian and his wife Audrey of Grand Rapids, and grandchildren Nathan and wife Melissa, Brianna and Kimberly; son Kevin and his wife Debbie of Belmont and granddaughter Lindsey; daughter Allison Clay and her husband Richard and grandchildren Morgan and Eric Clay of Grand Rapids. Roy was a veteran of WWII and followed two brothers into the service. He joined his parents who had moved to Muskegon after the war and started his education under the GI Bill. He received a BA and MA from Western Michigan University, the first college graduate in his family, with many more family members to follow. His first teaching position was at Lee High School in the late 1950s, teaching business courses and coaching. A few years into teaching, an unanticipated opportunity arose that would alter his career significantly and enable him to provide important educational options to scores of West Michigan students. In the early 1960s, it was apparent that typical high school curriculums were not meeting the needs of all students. There was an opportunity to combine vocationally focused academics with work experience to provide students with real career options right out of school. Out of this belief was borne a successful vocational education program that grew to include not only Wyoming Public Schools (Lee, Rogers, and Wyoming Schools), but also Kelloggsville, Byron Center, Calvin Christian, and Godwin. Roy was the guiding and administrative force behind the development of these programs until his retirement in 1984, as the Director of Vocational Education. Vocational (and Career) Education, under these programs, included nursing, machine, metal and industrial shops, offices skills, retailing and a home building program. 20 to 25 skill classes were developed and several hundred students each year were linked to jobs in the community, where local businesses became partners in student success. These innovative vocational programs were not always well understood by traditional academics but were hard to dismiss due to their success. The financial support from Federal and State coffers made the programs a bargain to local schools, and there was overwhelming support of the business community. Students finished school with clear goals and found careers, while many were motivated to go on to higher education. Perhaps the greatest testament to the effectiveness of the Voc Ed programs was the latter inclusion of identified “at risk” kids, since it motivated them to continue their education versus dropping out. Roy was extremely proud of the educational programs that he helped develop and lead. He was especially grateful for the support and leadership provided by a core staff of educators that were essential to its success and were with him for many years. They included Jim Groendyke of Grand Rapids, Duane Scott of Jenison, Sherry Parker of North Muskegon, who succeeded him as Director, Steve Pell of Grand Rapids and his long time administrative assistant, Pat Fisher, who passed away in 2014. All these key members dedicated themselves to the Voc Ed programs until their own retirements. They remained good friends through all the years and were in regular contact with Roy, thirty years after his retirement. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday 11:00AM at the Arsulowicz Brothers Remembrance Mortuary, 3525 Remembrance Road NW, Walker, MI 49534. His family will receive visitors Friday, February 27th 6 – 8 PM and Saturday, February 28th 10- 11am at the funeral home. A special thank you to Green Acres Retirement Home and Gentiva Hospice and their very special staff for the loving care of our father. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Gentiva Hospice or VanAndel Institute.

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Roy Stanley Lakanen

March 2, 1927 - February 24, 2015