Man who cruised Route 66 in Corvette for charity dies

John “JJ” Bouma, who cruised Route 66 in a red Corvette in May as a fundraiser to combat the Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or ALS, that afflicted him, died at age 54 on Friday, according to the Grand Rapids (Mich.) Press.

The caravan’s weeklong, 2,800-mile journey from Chicago to Los Angeles raised $318,000 for ALS research and was photographed for an exhibit and videographed for a documentary about the disease.

“The trip was both exhausting and exhilarating for him,” said Pam Bouma, JJ’s wife. “It was indicative of how he liked to do things. Nothing was ever just about him.” […]

To keep alive his passion to make the world a better place, the Bouma family is setting up a JJ Bouma ALS Clinic Fund at Fifth Third Bank. Memorial contributions will be used to establish a clinic associated with a Grand Rapids hospital to treat West Michigan ALS patients. […]

To contribute to the ALS fund in Bouma’s memory, contact the ALS Association’s West Michigan chapter, 731 Front St., at 459-1900 or at mail@alsa-westmichigan.org.

Here’s the Web site that documented Bouma’s cruise and helped raise money. A final entry came from Al’s son on Tuesday:

JJ travels to heaven and leaves a legacy for all of us:

It really was unlike any other. My Dad and the rest of us (the crew) set out to raise money and awareness, but as we drove across the country, we started to feel that there was even more to it. He, I, and the others were soon to understand that this was the beginning of something bigger. PALS, their family and friends, the media, and everyone else along the way all joined in to welcome us. I think we needed to see them just as much as they needed to see us. This was the spark in a plan that was still undetermined. The finish line was not the end as I have come to find out. Cruise 66 was a success beyond measure. My father liked perfection and in my opinion this was no doubt as close as it gets.

Words are not enough, but I’m inspired and proud to be his son. I know our souls will meet again, but for now, I’ll miss you Dad.

Scott

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