Douglas W. DeVries' Obituary
Douglas W. De Vries, 63, of Muskegon, breathed his last and went to be with his Lord on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, at the Poppen Hospice Residence with his family by his side.
Doug was born on December 9, 1960, in Urbana, Illinois. He was the firstborn son of Donald and Alma (Vander Lugt) De Vries. He grew up in South Holland, Illinois, graduating from Illiana Christian High School in 1979. After moving to Michigan later that year, he earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and business from Calvin University in 1983. At Calvin, he was a member of the Oratorio Society and spent many memorable evenings playing backgammon and foosball.
After college, Doug moved to Muskegon and worked as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and small business owner for many years with his business partners, Marc Draper and Henry Bialik. He was a long-time member of both Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church and Unity Reformed Church, where he served as an elder. He played in the church softball league and served as a volunteer for AMBUCS, a mentor for Kids Hope, and a member of an investment club in Grand Haven.
He will be lovingly remembered by his children: Ryan De Vries, Melissa (De Vries) Buit and her husband Chad, Leveda (De Vries) Harris, Cedric De Vries, and Ayana De Vries; his grandchildren; his former wife of 32 years, Linda De Vries; his sister Jane (De Vries) Reynhout and her husband Quentin as well as his brother Carl De Vries and his wife Kathy; and many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Doug was preceded in death by his grandparents Harry and Hilda (Huizenga) De Vries and Hubert and Grace (Verbrugge) Vander Lugt as well as his parents Donald and Alma (Vander Lugt) De Vries.
Doug was an avid fan of Chicago sports, especially the Cubs, through good times and bad, and he had a lifelong love for good books. He had a heart for other people and a laugh that could fill a room.
We thank the many people who cared for Doug during his life and spent time with him in his last days, including the staff and his friends at The Village at Park Terrace, the staff and his friends at the dialysis clinic, and the team at the Poppen Hospice Residence.
A service to celebrate and remember Doug’s life will be held Thursday, February 1, 2024, at 11:00 am at Unity Reformed Church (1521 Porter Road, Norton Shores, MI, 49441). Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the same location. Contributions in memory of Mr. De Vries may be made to Beacon of Hope. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services 737 East Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI, 49442.
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