Jack DeVries

After celebrating a wonderful life, Jack DeVries has gone home to be with our Lord. The unfortunate result of an 18 year battle with Alzheimer's disease which he managed with incredible dignity to the end.
Jack was born in Dorr, Michigan on July 17, 1935 and passed away on January 28, 2021. He had a gregarious personality - both a handful and a heartful.
A devoted family man: husband, father and grandfather. A self-made entrepreneur whose many accomplishments in the transportation and safety industry can be credited to his vision and determination. Jack was highly driven for accomplishment with a magnetic personality. Once you met him, you would always remember him with a smile.
Jack started in the transportation industry as a truck driver in 1964. Ultimately, he was responsible for establishing three trucking companies from 1982 through 2010.
Throughout the years of leadership in the transportation industry, he was President of the Michigan Transportation Association as well as the Transportation Clubs of Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Battle Creek. The governor of Michigan appointed Jack to the Safety Board of the State of Michigan and The Citizens Advisory Committee on Transportation in 2000.
Jack also served in the Army National Guard of Michigan (1952-61) and as a deputy in the Kent CountySheriff's department (1958-64).
He was a member of: Rockford Masonic Temple F&AM 245, Valley of Grand Rapids Scottish Rite-32 degree, Saladin Shrine Temple, Battle Creek Shrine Club, Moose Lodge of Marshall #676, Elks Lodge of Battle Creek.
Music was a passion and he enjoyed playing the organ; and singing in the church choir. His interests include music, woodworking, golf, travel and being in the company of people.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Donella, "Dee" DeVries, Holland MI and his children, Jacqueline Stancil, Marion, IN, Jeffrey DeVries, (Kristin), Rochester Hills, MI and Jamie Martinez (Rudy), Holland MI. He leaves behind six Grandchildren, Nicole, Corinne, Monica, Drake, Kaden and Isabella, his Mother-in-law, Ella Maurer, Marshall, MI, sisters, Patricia Allen (Dave) Grandville, MI, Sharon Spielmaker (Paul), Byron Center, MI and Marcia Halloran (Doug), Dorr, MI, and sister and Brother-in-laws, Karen Gieske (Bill) Battle Creek, MI, Terri McAllister (Bob) Seneca, SC, Rodney Maurer (Marilyn), Brian Maurer, Kyle Maurer (Lauri) all from Marshall, MI, as well as several nieces and nephews.
Preceded in death by his parents Hi and Anna DeVries from Dorr, MI; and Father-In-Law, Norman Maurer from Marshall, MI.
Donations are being accepted through Hospice of Holland and/or Alzheimer's Association.
A private graveside service was held on Monday, February 1, 2021 at Oakridge Cemetery in Marshall, Michigan.
A Celebration of Life service for Jack will be announced at a later date.
Arrangements were entrusted to Kempf Family Funeral and Cremation Services 723 US Hwy 27 N Marshall, Michigan 49068. Please visit https://kempffuneralhome.com to view the online obituary, to sign the online guestbook or to leave the family condolences.