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Garrett Edward "Ed" De Jong of Tucson, Arizona, passed away at home on Saturday, November 23, 2013. Ed is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mary (Lindquist) De Jong; his three daughters, Marjorie (Mark) DeBoer, Kimberly (Martin) Zapata and Rebecca (Jeffrey) Wilkinson. He is also survived by his six grandchildren, his brother, Dr. David (Dorothea) De Jong; his brothers-in-law, George (Mary) Lindquist and David (Sharon) Lindquist and many nieces and nephews. Ed was born in Sheboygan, WI, on February 1, 1935. He spent his childhood in southern India and Kuwait as his parents were missionaries. Ed attended Hope College and the University of Michigan and taught math for many years at Belleville High School in Michigan. He married Mary Eileen Lindquist on June 20, 1970, and they moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1976. Ed was an avid pilot and loved flying around Arizona. He was very active in his church and had a deep and abiding love of the Lord. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, 2013 at The Journey-Evangelical Free Church on 4700 N. Swan. Rd., Tucson, Arizona, 85718. Memorial donations may be made to UIM (United Indian Mission) Aviation, P.O. Box 6429, Glendale, AZ, 85312.
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Mrs DeJong was my geometry teacher in 1965 and I will always remember him fondly. I doubt that he enjoyed me as much as I enjoyed him. I remembered his patience when I began teaching junior high math a few years later. My condolences to his family.
Larry Francis
January 12, 2014
Mr DeJong was my math teacher my senior year at BHS, 1966-67. I would also become a math teacher and oddly enough teach at BHS for 30 years. I now teach math at Eastern Michigan University. I credit Mr DeJong along with Ken Palmer influencing me towards mathematics. He taught me well.
I was sorry to read about his passing
Tom Meyer
December 20, 2013
Dear Mary and girls. I am sorry to hear of Ed's passing. I've known you and the family since way back when. He will be missed greatly.
Becky Small
December 5, 2013
Dejong Family-
I will miss Ed and his great friendship. Ed and I met about 15 years ago before I retired from the Air Force. I won't meet a better coffee drinking buddy. He always talked about his family. Ed was proud of his 3 girls and wife. My weekends will not be the same without my coffee buddy. We can take comfort he is in heaven and soaring higher than his plane took him.
Jerry Welch
November 30, 2013
Ed will be so missed- our conversations were really interesting. we had a lot of common interests- love of flying included.
Jim and Dorothy Tompkins
November 30, 2013
Will miss Ed at Cactus Bob. Our love to Mary and your Family.
Burt & Janet John
November 30, 2013
Mary and Family,
May the Awesome Memories you have of Ed, sustain you doing this difficult time. He will be missed/Winston & Marie Williams
November 29, 2013
Dear Mary, Jorie, Kim and Becky, We are thinking of you all and praying for you at this very difficult time. So very grateful for that blessed hope and the confidence we have that Ed is free from pain and suffering, rejoicing in the presence of His Savior! Blessings to you all from the Injetis / India
November 28, 2013
We have lost a wonderful friend who leaves behind a legacy of Christian living that was a model for everyone who knew him. We will treasure many memories of times spent with Ed and will miss him greatly. Our love to you Mary and Family
Steve and Janet Flug
November 27, 2013
Every time I fly and see any significant smog in the LA basin think of the day I was able to take Ed up for a flight in my 182. It was a very rare absolutely perfectly clear day in LA. After taking off from John Wayne we flew over the Queen Mary to Palos Verdes where we leveled off at 2,500 feet to fly over LAX, where we were able to watch big jets take off and land beneath us. We then flew over Santa Monica's airport and made a left turn up the Malibu coast to Point Dume where we took a U turn and headed over Beverly Hills and then over LA's skyscrapers for landing at El Monte for lunch. We then jumped back into the air flying past Ontario and Chino to Corona for a quick touch and go. We then headed over the Saddleback Mountains where we circled over my house in Coto de Caza. We then proceeded southwest to the Dana Point harbor where we circled to enjoy the boats from the air. Next we turned up Laguna's coast towards Newport Beach and finally headed north for a return to John Wayne. One does not get that kind of sightseeing weather very often in LA. I was very proud to share this treat with a man who I initially met as the sponsor of a model airplane I launched when I was in high school. Ed was both a mentor and a friend; generous with both his time and advice and a wonderful role model for his students. I've always held that the Lord blessed us both with that special day; more for this wonderful God fearing dear friend of mine than for me. Of all the hundreds of flights I've made in the LA basin, I'm certain that that one will always remain my all-time favorite; I only wish I had captured this trip on my camera. It was a truly special time for me to be honored to be with this truly special man who mentored me during my model airplane days at Belleville High School and then became a favorite a long distance flying buddy. Ed and I were able to share the things that pilots love to share with other pilots on the phone; but, I'm so happy that my wife Sharon and I had a visit to his awesome home in Tucson this past August. Our visit was all too brief but it was another trip that I will never forget. I'm sure that Ed has a new set of wings now; a set that he will no longer require him be concerned with annuals, medicals or the cost of Avgas. My most sincere blessings on Mary and his family who will most deeply miss him!
Robert Baker
November 27, 2013
You will be greatly missed
myra karachy
November 27, 2013
Oh Mary, our time with Ed was too short! We loved him and his dry sense of humor and his reverence for The Lord. We will miss him and pray for your peace and comfort. We are so sad that both his graveside service and the memorial service are scheduled when we are out of state. Our prayers for you and your family continue.
Judie & Rick Simpson
November 27, 2013
Mary, Dave and other family,
My husband, Dave Dickason, and I knew Ed well at Kodai. I also found him to be a good friend when we were at Hope together - he was a couple of years ahead of me. We pray for healing of your grief gradually as you know that his love for you lives on.
Lowey Dickason
November 27, 2013
The Kodai School Family sends our sympathy and love. God's blessings on you, Mary, and the rest of your family.
Jerry Nichol
November 27, 2013
We love you so much!!! Mr. D, I'll miss you!
Annie Pakkala
November 26, 2013
Mary, I was so sorry to hear this - I loved Worshiping with you both at Ev Free. I know your family will be a comfort, Donna Prather
November 26, 2013
Ed,
I will miss you and your ever smiling face.. I know you are with the Lord enjoying your eternal reward but remember us old friend and keep a light burning.God bless your family, and especially Mary and may the Holy Spirit give them the strength to live on. Now rest where there is no pain.
Bill Gutman
November 26, 2013
Dear Mary, It was so good being with you and Ed for a most memorable India get-together in your home just a few weeks ago. The graciousness you both showed us was much appreciated. The ties across the years that we kids from Kodai School shared could be felt as still strong and meaningful that evening. Special moments like that are dearly treasured and will be long remembered. Our deepest thoughts go out to you and the family at your untimely loss.
Ted and Maja Essebaggers
November 26, 2013
Dear Mary and family,
Tom and I sent our deep sympathy and prayers!
May you rest in the arms of our Lord and he gives you peace.Ed has moved to heaven.
Tom and Gae Andrews
November 26, 2013
Dear Mary,
When we lose our husband, not only have we lost our beloved one, but we've lost our best friend. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family.
May God give you strength to endure and comfort to share.
Psalm 94:18,19
November 26, 2013
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