Jerrol Kent "Buz" Veldheer, 78, went to meet his Savior, Jesus Christ, on December 13, 2024, passing peacefully in his sleep in Greenville, SC.

Born on November 24, 1946, on his family's farm in Platte, SD, Buz was the son of John and Jeanette Veldheer. Outgoing and full of life, he had an infectious laugh that could light up any room. He loved to work outdoors, work with his hands, drive his tractor, and enjoyed watching reruns of Seinfeld, the Andy Griffith Show and old westerns. Buz's playful spirit and warm heart endeared him to everyone he encountered, especially children, whom he loved to goof around with and entertain.

At the age of 19, Buz enlisted in the U.S. Army, served his country as a radio operator during the Vietnam War, and rose to the rank of Sergeant. His time in the military instilled in him a deep sense of duty and patriotism.

Buz studied electronics at Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan, but he was led to a career in sales, where his outgoing and gregarious personality served him well.

Buz was a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, a faith he carried with him throughout his life. He cherished singing old hymns and was a member of Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church.

Buz is survived by his beloved wife of 41 years, Dawn. Buz and Dawn married in 1983 and built a life in Livonia, Mich, before resettling in the Greenville area in 1996.

Buz is also survived by his son, Steve (Corey) Veldheer with grandchildren Frank and Sadie; step-daughter Sandy (Layne) Foor with grandchildren Layne and Levi; step-daughter Laura (Michael) Phillips with grandchildren Drake, Kenny (Emily), Lee, Chloe and Beckett; and step-son David (Rachel) Haan with grandchildren Avery, Blythe, and Jonah.

Buz is also survived by his siblings Jane (Larry) Mierle, Jerralynne Tjeerdsma, and Joel (Wendy) Veldheer, along with his sister-in-law, Sandy Veldheer, brother-in-law Ed MacDonald and many cherished nieces and nephews.

Buz was preceded in death by his parents; siblings Joyce Polly, Jay, Jack, and Jim Veldheer; brothers-in-law Allen Polly, Les Tjeerdsma and Arvid Arvidson; and sisters-in-law Arla Veldheer, Kathy Veldheer and Yvonne MacDonald.

Buz's love for his family, his faith, and his wonderful sense of humor will live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

A memorial celebration of Buz's life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at Woodruff Road Presbyterian Church, where his family and friends will gather to honor the legacy of a man who lived for the glory of God.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, https://www.gpts.edu/give.

Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Buz with the family by clicking on the button labeled “Share A Memory”.