Jack Lee DeVries

Jack Lee DeVries, 83, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, passed peacefully on July 7, 2024, spending his last days surrounded by friends and loved ones. Jack was born in Kalamazoo on April 26, 1941, to Andrew and Gertrude (Slager) DeVries. He attended Kalamazoo Central High School, graduating in 1959. He married soon out of high school to Lynda Matyas (now deceased) and had three sons, Todd, Jack Jr., and Brad.

In his career, Jack was Plant Manager for several concerns, including Precast Shokbeton, Consyst and Bower’s. Upon retirement, he took a job as Park Ranger at Sleeping Bear Dunes in northern Michigan. He loved the outdoors and brought that and more to his duties there.

In 1974, he met and soon married his love for life, Ann (Goebel) DeVries. They adored each other and built a lifetime of fond memories together. During the late 1980’s, he helped design and build their dream home on Lower Herring Lake in Frankfort, Michigan. He and Ann also owned a place in Naples, Florida, for 25 years, joining the many “snowbirds” who travel south yearly from Michigan to take advantage of a second summer. They made many friends there and were very active in their community. Of all their various pastimes, their favorite was spending time with family and friends at the lake up north, partaking in all that life on a beautiful lake has to offer. He liked water skiing, and he also liked trying to give skiers the ride of their lives while he drove the boat.

He was a true aficionado of motorcycles and classic cars, and owned several of each over the years, beginning with a Model-A Ford he had saved up for while in high school. He customized and “souped-up” the car, and in short order was known around town. He had a mint 1969 Harley and rode with a group of local motorcyclists frequently during the 70’s and 80’s. He always had some great stories of his many road trips that they would take together. Another highlight was attending NASCAR events with his good friends in Florida, and he would be smiling while giving detailed descriptions of the event upon his return.

Jack was a man of many interests throughout his years. He enjoyed listening to music and was an accomplished guitarist/singer as well. In his youth, he sang and played in a band, playing many shows at local venues and dances. They were the go-to entertainment for WMU parties and gatherings and were very popular. When his role as a devoted husband and father grew, public performance fell by the wayside, but he continued to play and sing at a high level throughout his entire life. He was also quite the softball player and bowler, continuing these into his retirement.

Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Lynda (Matyas); by his parents, Andy and Gert; and by his son, Jack DeVries Jr. He is survived by his wife, Ann (Goebel) DeVries; brother, Ronald DeVries; sons, Todd DeVries and Brad DeVries; stepsons, Mark Dixon and Todd Dixon; stepdaughter, Diana Walton; daughter-in-law, Josi (Rocha) DeVries; and grandchildren, Ashley (DeVries) Metzger, Jacqueline (DeVries) Wood, Brad Lee DeVries Jr., Victoria Rocha DeVries, Gustavo Rocha, Stephen Walton, David Walton, Alyssa (Walton) Noonan, Jessica Moerman, and Krystal Dixon. Through them, he was ultimately blessed with 15 great-grandchildren. He was also loved by many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jack’s final wishes were not to have a funeral, but instead a “celebration of life”. The visitation/fellowship for all will be at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S 9th Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. The gathering will take place on Wednesday, July 24th, from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To leave an online condolence, visit https://www.langelands.com.