John Melvin Desvousges

John Melvin ("Pee Wee") Desvousges, 89, died on Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, at the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans" Nursing Facility.

Born on April 16, 1922, he was a lifelong resident of St. Augustine.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army 31st Infantry "Dixie" Division during World War II. His three brothers and one sister also served their country during WW II. John is preceded in death by his parents, Leon and Mary Short Desvousges; two brothers, Leon and George Desvousges; two sons-in-law, Jerry Butler and Ray McCall; and a beloved grandson, George Butler.

John attended St. Joseph Academy and was a member of the 1940 St. Joseph Academy conference championship football team. He worked tirelessly for the Knights of Columbus (Council 611) at the Cathedral Basilica and at St. Anastasia Catholic Church (Council 7121), having served as a Knight for more than 50 years and as Grand Knight for two years at St. Anastasia Catholic Church. He was one of the founding organizers of the St. Augustine Beach 5K run and other fundraisers and always had time to work for the benefit of the Sisters of St. Joseph.

For many years, he was employed by Ward Baking Co., delivering Tip Top and Merita bread products throughout St. Johns County to grocery stores and restaurants. John never met a stranger and always took time to make others feel welcome and at home in St. Augustine. He loved his family, his church, his friends and his country, and devoted his life to all of them.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Betty Jane Mickler Desvousges; five children, Melvine McCall, William H. (Shelley H.) Desvousges and Babette (Joedy) Ashton, all of St. Augustine, Dorothy (George) Sperber of Palm Coast and Denise (Paul) Bain of Waynesboro, Va.; 10 grandchildren, Thomas Butler, and Melissa M. Owen, Ryan and Joshua Campbell, Sarah Price, Anne Desvousges Chance, Jackie W. Smith, Shawn Wright, Nicole Cooper and J.J. Ashton; and seven great-grandchildren, Jana, Charlsea and Ivy Owen, Madison Cooper, Amelia Jane Chance, and Aubrey and Brady Smith. He is also survived by two sisters, Thelma Coyne and Mary Evelyn Stevens of St. Augustine; and one brother, Pete Desvousges, of Toms River, N.J.; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and many friends.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. today at San Sebastian Catholic Church, the Rev. Rene Robert officiating. Burial will be in San Lorenzo Cemetery.

The family wishes to offer its heartfelt thanks and prayers to all the wonderful staff, volunteers and veterans at the Clyde E. Lassen State Veterans" Nursing Facility. Also a special thanks to Dr. Warren Whitlock, M.D.

Flowers are gratefully accepted, or contributions may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, P.O. Box 3506, St. Augustine, FL 32085.

Craig Funeral Home Crematory Memorial Park is in charge of the arrangements.