Walter James De Blauw

Walter James DeBlauw was born to Bill and Ella DeBlauw on March 1, 1936, in Grandville, Michigan. In 1938, he moved to Redlands, CA with his parents and four siblings. Water attended Mission Elementary School, Redlands Junior High, and graduated from Redlands High School in 1954. His first job during highschool was at Stater Brothers in Redlands, and he worked at Norton Airforce Base for two years after graduation. He then attended Schrodon Business College and from there worked at Title Insurance Company in San Bernardino. During this time, he married Joyce Vander Vegte from Orange City, Iowa on June 30, 1969. Their first daughter, Janice Elaine was born in September of 1970. In 1972, a business opportunity came up for Walt to purchase and manage a retail nursery in Santa Barbara, California. They moved to Santa Barbara where he owned and managed De Blauw Nursery for 8 years. During this time they added 3 more girls to their family: Julie Ann, Jill Marie and Jennifer Lynn. They returned to Redlands in 1980, where Walt owned and operated the Arco gas station in Mentone and managed his orange grove. After selling the gas station, Walt continued to work in the grove and his yard and always managed to have a project going on.

During his lifetime, Walt enjoyed gardening, traveling, visiting with friends and spending time with his family--especially his 14 grandchildren! Whether he was watching them sing, play their instruments, play their sports, or if they were working for him, playing Dominoes with him or enjoying a Root Beer Float, he took great delight in his grandchildren and was so thankful to live long enough to enjoy them. For many years, Walt has been a faithful member of the River Christian Reformed Church. He also served on the board of the Ontario Christian Home. But mostly Walt is known for his warm smile and friendly demeanor. He never met a stranger and was never in a hurry to wrap up a conversation! He loved the Lord, loved his family and loved people.

Walt is survived by his wife of 52 years, Joyce, their four daughters and spouses--Jani & Dan VanGorp, Julie & Bill Born, Jill & Scott Prendergast and Jennifer & Eric Scholte, 14 grandchildren, his three remaining siblings-- Janet Gibson, Eleanor Thomas, and Margie Thalmayer, many nieces and nephews, and a large and loving extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, inlaws, and siblings Andrew DeBlauw, Bill DeBlauw, Joyce Baker/Brinkman and Richard DeBlauw.

A celebration of life will be held on Monday, November 22, 2021, at 10:30 at The River Christian Reformed Church in Redlands. Visitation and view will also take place at The River on Sunday, November 21, from 3:00-5:00.

If you would like to make a donation in Walt’s honor, please send to Mission Aviation Fellowship or MCCA (Mexican Christian Children’s Aid).