John De Vries ’57
Dr. John C. De Vries, of Lake Oswego, OR, passed away on November 26, 2023 at the Springs Lake Oswego after months of challenging health issues. An anesthesiologist practicing in Portland for over 30 years, John cared deeply about his family and friends while living a purposeful life taking care of patients. After retiring in 1998, he spent some time traveling with his wife of 62 years, Virginia (Jini) De Vries (deceased March 2020), family and friends, while continuing hobbies of woodworking, photography and gun collecting. He was an avid hunter who hunted big game and birds all over the world. He was also a competitive skeet shooter in the 1970s and 80s – winning many tournaments throughout the West.
John was the son of Ben and Mildred De Vries, who were Reformed Church of America missionaries in Katpadi, India for 45 years, starting in 1930. John was born in Kodaikanal, South India in May 1935. John, who was known as “Shon” by his boyhood friends in India, grew up as a missionary kid in Katpadi and then went to Kodaikanal International School (KIS). He had two brothers (both deceased) – older brother David, and younger brother Robert – who both attended KIS with John. The three brothers dominated the sports fields and hiking trails while shooting cobras with slingshots and hiding from tigers. John moved to the United States to attend Hope College in 1952, where he met the love of his life, Virginia Vanderborgh. After being married in West Sayville, NY, John went on to the University of Michigan Medical School where he graduated in 1958. He then went into the Navy as a doctor and was stationed in Viet Nam. He returned in 1967 to start his medical practice in Portland, OR as an anesthesiologist. John and Jini spent 40 years in their custom-built dream home in West Linn overlooking Mt. Hood, where they raised their three children.
John is survived by his children: Kimm ’86 (Brent) Wall, Eric (Debby) De Vries, and Shon (Donna) De Vries; grandchildren: Madison (Paul) Odomirok, Tanner (Grant) Taylor, Tim De Vries, and Ben De Vries; step grandchildren: Taylor Buck and Aaron Buck; and great grandchildren: Weston and Colt Odomirok.