John Anthony de Jong

San Luis Obispo, California - A man with a solid impact upon his family and friends, and patriarch of a large love filled family, John (Tony) Anthony de Jong went home to be with the Lord on January 18, 2025. He was 81 years old.

Born on August 31, 1943, Tony’s life began in Concord, California, where his parents, Gerhardt and Wilma de Jong, raised him along with his older brother Guy de Jong. By the time Tony was 21, both of his parents had passed, which had a real impact on his life, and his outlook. After the death of his parents, he relocated to the Central Coast to live with his brother Guy and went on to graduate from San Luis High School in 1961.

Tony met Judith (Judi) Madding while attending Cal Poly State University. He fell deeply in love with her and adored her young daughter, Stephanie. Tony and Judi married in Mexico in 1962, and again in 1977 in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. In 1965 the three welcomed a daughter and sister, Tammy, into the world. They resided in Los Osos, California at that time. In 1967, due to a very tragic accident, their daughter, Tammy, went home to our Lord. Tony, Judi and Stephanie’s lives were never the same after she passed. They moved on the best they could. Eventually they all welcomed two more daughters, Chantell de Jong in 1968 and Richelle de Jong in 1969, and continued to live in Los Osos, California to raise their three beautiful daughters.

At the age of 24, Tony became a licensed building and plumbing contractor, and built his first house in Los Osos, California, and continued to build nearly 400 more homes over the next 20 years. He built the Valley Center commercial building, in Los Osos, and started and operated many businesses there: Valley Liquor, King Richards Pizza, a laundromat, gas station and a lingerie store run by his wife, Judi. At the age of 30, Tony built his first vacation home at Lake Wildwood, California, where they made many memories of boating and jeeping. In 1980 Tony moved most of his contracting business to Lake Havasu, Arizona, where he also continued to enjoy the great outdoors.

Tony was a very highly energetic and passionate person. He enjoyed dirt trails, sand railing, and flying his airplanes, especially the Aerostar. He found great enjoyment riding motorcycles and cruising around in his red Ferraris.

On April 6,1996 (Easter Sunday) Judi went home to be with our Lord due to another tragic event. The whole family pulled together in love and in sadness, as they had lost their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Tony and Judi were together for a total of 33 years. Tony promised his beloved wife Judi, before she died that he would never drink any kind of alcohol, as alcoholism had a hard control of his life before that. (He stopped drinking in 1992) To this day he has kept his promise to his beloved Judi.

Tony met Joan Fackler in 1996. They had a long-term relationship of 10 years before they married in 2006 at Harris Ranch, California, and reside in San Luis Obispo, California. Joan brought to the marriage her adult children, Jennifer Roslan, Michael Loven and Paul Loven. The two took on the ever-challenging task of blending their two families together comprised of adult children, grandchildren and great grandchildren from both sides. Tony and Joan were together for a total of 28 years. Joan was Tony’s rock and help mate. He loved the foundation she lived by. They enjoyed their furry friends, beloved Heidi a German Shephard, and Angie a Cavalier Spaniel, and now Nellie, a Cavalier Spaniel and Cia the tuxedo cat. They enjoyed living on the outskirts of San Luis Obispo and experiencing all the wild animals that came by to say hello, especially Harry the wild buck. They loved to ride Tony’s Harley Davidson to motorcycle rallies, and they enjoyed vacationing at their favorite spot every year at Cabo San Lucas, Baja Mexico. But most of all enjoyed the family gatherings, and deep conversations about what is most important in life.

Tony was the patriarch of the whole biological and “married into” family. He was everyone’s Dad or Grandpa and loved each and everyone. He loved to mentor anyone that would listen, with sharp and passionate guidance about finances and keeping your credit score good. He had “out of the box” thinking and would present ideas that no one thought of. His favorite sayings were, “Watch your pennies and your dollars will follow”, “A dollar saved is a dollar earned”, “If you aim to be close you will be way off, but if you aim to be perfect, then you will be close” and “You are only as good as your word”.

He loved to encourage and show affection to his whole family. He would encourage all who would listen to never give up, believe in one another, always see the best in each other, always trust your gut, and see miracles every day.

People outside the family were also affected by Tony’s love and care. Numerous friends continually told him how much they loved him and appreciated his kind and thoughtful guidance. He had true empathy for others, and they felt it.

In February 2024 (at the age of 80 years old), Tony made a big decision to follow Jesus and his teachings and become a Christian. He was then baptized by New Life Community Church in Pismo Beach, California. His favorite Christian song was “Jesus Loves Me This I know”.

We will all miss our “Tony”. May his words and guidance be with us always. He has made a big impact on all that know him. We thank God for his presence in our lives and look forward to seeing Tony again in eternity.

Tony was preceded in death by his father, (Gerhardt de Jong), mother (Wilma de Jong), wife, (Judi de Jong), daughter (Tammy de Jong) and grandson (Dominck McComb)

He is survived by his wife (Joan Fackler de Jong), brother (Guy de Jong), sister-in-law (Trish de Jong), two daughters, (Chantell de Jong), (Richelle de Jong), two stepdaughters (Stephanie Gregg) (Jennifer Roslan), two stepsons (Michael Loven), (Paul Loven), two sons-in-law (John Najafinia), (Doug Gregg), step daughter-in-law (Stacee Loven), six grandchildren (Brice Phillips, Kaitlyn Ela, Drake Goldsmith, Savannah Gwin, Payton McComb, Kelly Gwin Jr.), five step-grandchildren (Daniel Roslan, Nicholas Loven, Matthew Loven, Olivia Loven, Emilia June Loven East), five great grandchildren (Kinsley Ela, Brooks Ela, Dallas Phillips, Kinsley Phillips, Jayce Phillips), two step-great grandchildren (Callen Ela, River Loven), nieces (Lisa de Jong, and Lori de Jong) and nephews (Greg de Jong and Jan de Jong), and special friend (Reese T Davies), plus many others, all of whom will forever cherish the time they had with him.