Laverne Edward "Ed" Tudor Jr. Obituary (1953 - 2020)

I know everyone thinks that Superman was just a comic book hero but it's not true. He was a man who lived an incredible life filled with ups and downs, crazy decisions, and life-changing events. He was a man who lived with doubts and insecurities but didn't dwell on them as he flew to new heights and moved mountains with his super strength. Superman was Laverne E. Tudor Jr. (aka Ed) who passed away on Saturday, November 7, 2020 after a battle with cancer. Ed (or Superman) was smart, loving, and a hard worker. His faith, his love of life, and his ability to accept change were his great tools of survival. Ed's death leaves a big space in his family circle. The circle includes his wife, Lisa; his children, Owen, Joey, and Charlie; his siblings, Valerie, Rick, and Eric. His extended Maartense and Van Kempen family, particularly, Jo Maartense, Nella Kosiara, and Janna Van Kempen. And his other children, Alisa, Veronica, and Eddie and their beautiful children. There is something that Ed had time to write and that he would like to express to all his family and friends: I was given the gift of life, and now I have to give it back. This is hard. But I was a lucky man, who led a lucky existence, and for this I am grateful. I was diagnosed in June 2019, and when I heard that my stem cell transplant didn't work and that I had to prepare myself for leaving this earth sooner than I wanted, I decided to be joyful about having had a full life, rather than sad about having to die. Amazingly, this outlook worked for me. (Well, you know, most of the time.) Having my family with me and supporting me helped me accept what I could not change. At any rate, I am at peace. And on that upbeat note, I take my leave of this world-that walk through the Michigan trees in Fall, that stroll down the white, sandy Pensacola Beach in summer, the memory of my child's hand in mine. My beloved Lisa, Owen, Joey and Charlie. My beloved friends and family. How precious you all have been to me. Knowing and loving each one of you was the success story of my life. Faithfully and with God's mercy and forgiveness, we will meet again, joyfully. A memorial service to say goodbye and to celebrate Ed's life will be held at Wellspring Community Church. 4466 Bauer Rd, Hudsonville on Saturday, December 12, 2020 at 3:00 pm with Pastor John Klumpp officiating. The service will be live streamed at: https://youtu.be/J60QoH_rblU Face masks and social distancing are required. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that you express your love and honor for Ed with memorial donations to a charity you deem worthwhile. Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.