Jack Debruyn

On Thursday, February 16, 2023, Jack Raymond DeBruyn, beloved husband, father, and grandfather passed away.  He was 86 years old.  Born to Hilda and Neil DeBruyn  in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he relocated to Southern California in early adulthood.  He worked all his professional life in California in insurance and financial services.  He and his wife moved to Raleigh, NC in 1995 and lived there until 2020 when they relocated in Fort Mill, SC to be nearer their daughter, Karen.
Jack is survived by his wife, Joan, his daughters Karen (married to K.C. Brown) and Kristen (married to Roberto Cruz), and three granddaughters, Emma Brown Bowman, Elle Brown Horton, and Lily Brown.
Jack and Joan were married nearly 60 years.  A most precious highlight of Jack’s life took place when at the age of 12, Jack sang the part of the Youth in the oratorio, Elijah in Chicago Music Hall.  Jack was a lover of classical music throughout his life.  He was a Baritone soloist; he sang in community oratorio society choirs in any community in which he lived.  He always sang in the choir of his church.  In fact, it was in church choir at Hollywood Presbyterian Church that Jack and Joan first met.  Jack was determined to make a meaningful contribution to this world.  He filled his retirement years with volunteer activity.  Through his church in Raleigh, he became committed to the church’s partnership with a Russian congregation in Smolensk, Russia.  He visited shut-ins; he loved being  ‘chuckle chairman’ for his church’s senior group; but most of all, he enjoyed watching young underprivileged children and youth thrive in the Community Music School in Raleigh, NC.
Jack was also an avid bird watcher.  He often enjoyed taking bird watching excursions with the Audubon Society.
A service will be held in Jack’s memory in the Historic Sanctuary of Unity Presbyterian Church, 303 Tom Hall Street, Fort Mill, SC on March 18 at 3:00 pm.  A reception will follow the service in Fellowship Hall.
Memorial donations can be sent to The Community Music School , 322 Chapanoke Road, Raleigh, NC.