Jan Johannes duPree

Jan Johannes duPree passed away peacefully on May 24, 2020 at his daughter’s home in Manteca, CA surrounded by loving family. Jan was born May 29, 1938 in Rotterdam, Holland to Albertus duPree and Petronella Van Heiningen. After bearing witness to and living through Germany’s invasion of Holland in 1942 during WWII, his family immigrated to Windsor, Canada in 1955 where Jan met and married Sharron Williams in 1961. They were married 29 years and raised three children – Cheryl Ann, LeeAnne, and John Desmond, who then produced 8 grandchildren between them – Jimmy, Melissa, and Tommy (Cheryl), Sarah, Julie, and April (LeeAnne), and Todd, JT, and Robert (Johnny) and then 5 great-grandchildren – Hailey and Emily (Melissa), Ava (Jimmy), and Jacob and Grayson (Todd). Jan worked in the field of Electrical Engineering for 45+ years. After divorce from Sharron in 1991, Jan met the love of his life, Patsy Gibson, and spent the next 31 years with his second family consisting of three adult children, several grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whom he loved and adored as his own. Jan and Patsy had many wonderful adventures together including sailing down the California coast to Mexico, then continuing across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii, and later travelling around the United States in their motorhome. Jan also earned his 2nd degree black belt in 1998 at the age of 60. In 2017, Jan had a 2nd heart attack that required 2 replacement stents followed by pneumonia, and while he was recovering himself, Patsy suffered a stroke, was paralyzed on her left side but was miraculously recovering herself, then was diagnosed with lung cancer and tragically passed away in 2018. Life was just never the same for him since then, although he was able to live quite happily with his daughter Cheryl and her husband Jim. Every chance he could, he would show off his lifetime of collecting treasures that he had proudly displayed in his room. Great Grandpa Jan and Grandpa Jim (referred to as “The Grandpas”) traveled once a week to Melissa’s house in Dublin to accompany Gramma Cheryl and Emily to pick up Hailey from school. He cherished this time he got to spend watching them on the playground, getting a bite to eat, and going to Savers to look for treasures. Unfortunately, Jan had a difficult time recovering from a 3rd heart issue in Dec 2019 that required a shock to reset his heart rhythm. Uncontrollable anxiety attacks haunted him until he began comfort care with hospice in early May. The right meds put his mind at ease and allowed him to pass on peacefully and comfortably at home. Due to current circumstances, a Celebration of Life for family and friends will be arranged at a later date to be determined.

Jan Johannes duPree

May 29, 1938 - May 24, 2020