Jeffrey B. Dubois

Jeffrey Brian DuBois, age 81, of Hilliard, Ohio, passed away peacefully at Riverside Methodist Hospital on December 9th with his daughter Leslie at his side. Born to Thornton Tongue and Vera Smith on March 23, 1944, in Cumberland County, New Jersey, he began to call Ohio home when he enrolled in the Ohio State University. At OSU he joined the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity where he forged lifelong friendships, and met and married Jo Elin Netts. He proudly hung his Block “O” flag on game days, and he looked forward to his weekly jaunt to campus with his grandson and soon-to-be graduate. Various jobs took him and his growing family to Connecticut and Minnesota before landing permanently back in his beloved Buckeye state.

He was very active in his Dublin, Upper Arlington, and Hilliard communities. A charter member of Highlands Presbyterian Church, he sang in the choir, worked in the garden, and served as an elder there. He enjoyed campouts and activities in his son’s Boy Scout years, and he always made sure there were flowers for his daughters after their dance recitals. He was a president of the Dublin Kiwanis and worked with the Dublin High School Key Club.

After moving to Upper Arlington, he became a member, deacon, and elder at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Through the church he served at the Ronald McDonald house. He also planned and participated in golf outings and weekend breakfasts with the men’s group, as well as the yearly talent shows. He joined Harmony Project, serving and singing with them for ten years. He really enjoyed serving Thanksgiving dinner at the shelter with his Harmony friends.

He founded the Delaware Investment Company and led the creation of a retirement living community in Austin Manor, a former dormitory on Ohio Wesleyan University’s campus. With his daughter Lori and son-in-law Mark, he opened The Little Ice Cream Shoppe in Hilliard, scooping ice cream and connecting with the community almost daily.

He enjoyed travelling to Europe with his wife and family, especially Wales to connect with his ancestors' home. Most of all he loved spending time with family - making Mickey pancakes for the grandkids when they stayed overnight, applauding at their plays and musicals, watching buildings be constructed, or getting everyone together for holidays, birthdays, applesauce making afternoons, vacations in Rodanthe, Sea Isle City, England, and the American Southwest and West Coast…any reason worked for him. The Jersey Shore was very special to him, and he went to family gatherings in New Jersey whenever possible, frequently making a side trip to Mack and Manco’s on the boardwalk.

Jeff is survived by his wife Jo Elin Netts DuBois; stepmother Eileen DuBois; sisters Gale Husava (Steve), Susan Edinger (Dick), and Melissa DuBois; brother Jay DuBois (Mary); son Paul (Jennifer); daughters Lori McDevitt (Mark) and Leslie Perry (Mike); grandchildren Cindy, Ally, and Rachel DuBois, Nicholas (Carrie) and Lauren Perry, and Christopher and Leah McDevitt; great granddaughter Jacklyn Minaya; and countless nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father and mother Thornton and Vera Tongue, adoptive father Raymond DuBois, and sister Gwen DuBois (John).

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 on Saturday, December 13th, at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 2070 Ridgecliff Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43221.

In honor of Jeff’s lifelong pursuit to bring people together to do good, the family invites memorial contributions to Harmony Project, 4411 Tamarack Blvd, Columbus, OH 43229, or Covenant Presbyterian Deacon’s Fund, 2070 Ridgecliff Road, Columbus, OH 43221.

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