Jack and Jean DeGroat

Jean M. DeGroat, 88, of Sun Lakes, passed on Tuesday, November 17, 2015 in Tempe, of sudden health complications. Homer (Jack) DeGroat, 87, joined his loving wife of 43 years, less than 24 hours later, on Wednesday, November 18, in Tempe, after a prolonged illness.

Jean, of Japanese heritage, was born on May 18, 1927 to Satsuki and Sakuji Watanabe. She grew up working alongside her parents and 7 siblings before leaving to work in the Dole Pineapple factory in Honolulu during WWII. Shortly thereafter, she married, had two children, moved to New York, divorced, and eventually settled into a life in Mesa, Arizona in the early 1960's. Jean worked for several years at Williams AFB as a secretary in the Maintenance Office and enjoyed her work and coworkers.

Jack was born Homer A. DeGroat to Lola May and Homer DeGroat on October 6, 1928 in Springfield, Missouri. He lived a humble life with his parents and 3 sisters during the Depression. It was not surprising to learn that Jack joined the Navy at the age of 16! He served as a machinist mate in the Pacific and earned his Honorable Discharge after WWII. As time passed, Jack became a painter in Fresno, CA, married, and had 4 children . Sadly, after their move to Tempe, Arizona around 1961, Jack became a widower.

In 1971, Jean and Jack met and the love blossomed after a blind date and a cup of coffee. A year later they were married and their adventure began.

Let's Go Fishin! To say that dad and mom enjoyed the outdoors is an understatement. Fishing and hunting--hunting and fishing. Those two would get back from one trip and have the next one already planned. Eventually, they bought "The Cabin" in the White Mountains which became their favorite way to enjoy weekend getaways during the hot summers. They were loving life.

Sports Fans! Jack and Jean had a passion for all things sports. ASU, the D-backs, Cardinals, and the Suns were their heroes. U of A was not even whispered in their house. Both read the sports pages every day and they could name all the players. On game days, they would sit side-by-side and root for their hometown team. Jean would cry if they lost an important game.

Although Jack and Jean loved the great outdoors and the excitement of sports, we know their hearts truly belonged to family and friends. They were thoughtful, kind, and especially generous--never forgetting a birthday by sending a card with a little something enclosed. They shared the fruits and vegetables from their garden with the neighbors and you never went home empty-handed after a visit. In short, all felt welcome at the DeGroat's home and table.

They were also endearingly funny...Jack with his chewing gum habit, Jean with her juggling and clothespin remedy for a headache. Don't forget their special pets-- Sam, the pet turtle, Pepe, the talking bird who they taught to say "touchdown!", and little Buttons, the dog who snored so loud they kicked him out of the den while watching their sports on TV.

Jack and Jean, we just want to say, Thank You. Words cannot describe how much your love meant to all of us. Our loss is truly heaven's gain. God bless you both.

As a blended family, Jean and Jack are survived by 5 children, 4 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and relatives too numerous to name.