Donald De Pree

Donald J. DePree was a devoted husband, loving father and doting grandfather. He was generous and kind hearted—the kind of person who would give anyone the shirt off his back. Quick with a story or joke, Don lived life with joy and contentment and left a legacy of faith, hope and love.

Don was born in Holland, Michigan to Carl and Wilma (Kleeves) De Pree on July 28, 1929. It was just months before the stock market crash that ushered in the troubled years of the Great Depression. Like others of his generation who survived a financial crisis and several wars, Don was shaped by the values of duty and sacrifice.

Don and his older brother, Randy, grew up on the south side of Holland, enjoying all the fun that outdoor life had to offer. In fact, he often skipped school to hunt and fish, yet he did well enough in his course work to graduate from Holland High School. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and served four years during the Korean War. Don had experienced a lot before settling down in Holland with a young woman who became his wife.

Don met Marlene Byker at a show in downtown Holland, and afterward he followed her car home. At one point, he did a U-turn and was stopped by the police, who gave both Don and Marlene a ticket. His was more expensive than hers, but in the end, he couldn’t have minded because the two of them met again when they went to pay their tickets. They have been together ever since!

Don and Marlene married on December 4, 1954 and first lived at his parents’ home before moving to a garage house on Walnut Avenue. He took a job driving bus for Holland Public Schools, and he did custodial work at Federal School, just across the street--. The DePree home was soon filled with four delightful children: Scott, Crieg, Denege, and Bryan. They raised their kids under the spiritual nurture of Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church, where they were members for many years.

Don was also a member of the VFW Post 2144 and the Holland American Legion Post, and given his keen interest in outdoor sport, he held membership in the Holland Fish and Game Club, serving on its board. Don especially enjoyed trout fishing, pheasant hunting with his kids, and deer hunting with family and friends at a camp in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Oddly enough, he never ate anything he caught or shot. Over the years, Don had English Setters and Britney Spaniels that he took hunting. They were great companions as well, and Don cared for them like a true animal lover.

Though Don knew his way around the woods, he did manage to get lost…once. Declining to ask for directions, he wandered around and stumbled on a lake. It turned out to be the “perfect mistake.” Don had discovered Cool Lake near Irons, Michigan in Lake County, and it soon became the get-away place for his family. Their cabin on the lake had no toilet or running water, but the whole family and the dog were eager to make their way two hours north, stopping for ice cream along the way. It was a family tradition that created over 40 years worth of memories.

In time, Don went into business for himself, and along with his brother-in-law Don Byker, owned and operated D & D industrial painting. Eventually, Don became sole owner, and painted many, many of Hollands industrial buildings. He drove his signature van that had to be a Dodge and always a Dodge. When he became a grandfather, Don’s Dodge van regularly found its way to his grandchildren. He would say those kids were on his way home from work, but that really wasn’t the case. Don went out of his way to see his grandkids. They meant the world to him, and he always had time for them. When they came to his house, Don could be found in the basement, riding bicycles or shooting a game of pool with his grandkids.

For nearly a decade, Don suffered from macular degeneration, lost his eyesight and had to give up driving in 2000. In recent years, he also lived with dementia, but he maintained his mischievous spirit and was quick to hand out candy that he always kept in his pocket.

Donald J. DePree, age 79, of Holland died Wednesday July 15, 2009 at Appledorn Living Center in Holland.

Don will be missed and lovingly remembered by his dear family: Marlene (Byker) De Pree, his wife of 55 years; son Scott and Barb De Pree of Lapeer, son Crieg and Susan De Pree of Holland, daughter Denege and Brad Burrows of West Olive, son Bryan and Amy De Pree of Spring Lake; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; brother Randall De Pree; in-laws: Jack and Kay Byker, Kay and Ray Hamstra, Bert and Marian Byker, Don and Winnie Byker, Will and Janie Byker, Harry and Joan Byker and Henrietta Byker; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Services will be 11 AM Saturday July 18, 2009 at The Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church of Holland. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 PM Friday July 17, 2009 at The Northwood Chapel Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home 295 Douglas Ave. Holland MI. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of Holland. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a photo or memory of Don or to sign the online registry.