Johan C De Nijs

April 18, 1924 – May 6, 2016

Johan Cornelis deNijs, 92, passed away Friday, May 6, 2016. He was born in Semarang, Indonesia (Dutch Colony) on April 18, 1924 to the late Julius and Anna Keller deNijs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Hans deNijs (Australia), Petronella Boetz-deNijs (Netherlands), Willie deNijs (California), and Arie deNijs (Spain).

Johan participated in the Dutch underground resistance as a young man during WWII and later joined the Dutch Navy. He returned to Indonesia with his wife, Maria, and worked as a statistician and studied economics. He and his family then traveled to Switzerland where Johan received his doctorate in Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ruchlokon. Sponsored by the Southeastern Baptist Seminary, Johan and his family arrived in Wake Forest, NC where he ministered in various churches in the Wake Forest and Raleigh areas. He also worked as a machinist and tool & dye maker, as well as studied cognitive psychology at North Carolina State University. Johan spent the remainder of his years as a piano technician. He resided in Wake Forest, Raleigh, Oriental and New Bern. Johan enjoyed sailing, boat building, playing the guitar and piano, wood working, gardening, and spending time with his family, friends, and his dog Tikus.

Johan was preceded in death by his first wife, Maria Van Susteren deNijs and survived by his ex-wife Lynda Godsey. He is survived by his three children; daughter, Julia deNijs Lloyd and sons Richard deNijs (Iris) and Eduard deNijs; grandchildren Amy Gingery (Chris), Karel Lloyd (Jessica), Maggie Bell (Paul), Jessica Lloyd, Vanessa deNijs (Scott); and great grandchildren Hannah Gingery, Lauren Gingery, Meghan Gingery, Karson Lloyd, Matthew Lloyd, Adam Lloyd, Aidan Bell, Anderson Bell, Elise Gilmore, and Lydia Gilmore.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 15, 2016 at 6217 Gondalier Drive, New Bern, N.C. 28560. The service will be provided by Reverend Jeremiah C. Day of Oriental, N.C.

Arrangements under the direction of Cotten Funeral Home, New Bern, NC.