Jack Kempees

ack Peter Kempees, an 11-year resident of Coupeville, went to his home with the Lord May 1, 2006, at his home surrounded by family after a brave four-year battle with cancer.

Jack was born Jacobus Pieter Johannes Kempees on May 4, 1940 to Johannes and Louise Kempees in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. During his teen years in the Netherlands he taught himself how to play the drums. His first band was called “Crazy Guys” and the next band was named “The Dixie Sailors.” They had a great time playing on yachts in the French Riviera one summer. Jack played in numerous bands throughout his life.

At the age of 20 he moved to the United States and lived in San Francisco. Jack and Lydia Tyll were married there on Jan. 11, 1964. Together they had two beautiful daughters, Jeannine and Lauren.

Although Jack was not yet a U.S. citizen he enlisted in the Navy in February 1964, became a U.S. citizen and changed his name to Jack Peter Kempees. After Jack’s time in the Navy the family moved to Corvallis, Ore., and then to Philomath, Ore.

It was in Philomath that Jack got involved with many organizations and groups. Jack was on the Philomath city council for nine years, Mayor of Philomath for four years, Philomath Planning Commission for six years, Philomath Food Bank board member for 10 years, Philomath Rotary Club for four years, Corvallis Benton County Economic Development Partnership for three years, Mid-Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross Disaster Chairman for two years, founding member of the Willamette Valley Jazz Society. Jack was a founding member of Philomath 2000, and a founding member of the Philomath Assembly of God church.

Jack married Michele Heilman on June 29, 1990 in Philomath. After visiting beautiful Whidbey Island for several years they moved to Coupeville in August 1995. On Feb. 29, 1996 they opened the gift shop “A Touch of Dutch” on Front Street. Because of Jack’s cancer they sold it to Misty Owenby in March 2003.

Jack is survived by his wife Michele Kempees of Coupeville; stepmother Truus Kempees in Corvallis; brothers Gerrit Jan-Willem Hoogerwerf in Oslo, Norway, Wybrand Leendert Hoogerwerf in Aerdenhout, Netherlands, and Karel Hendrik Hoogerwerf in Koningsbosch, Netherlands; sisters Nicky Jones in Corvallis, Marijke Cook in Richland, and Ingrid Burghardt in San Pablo, Calif.; daughters Jeannine DeBray in Port Townsend and Lauren Kempees in Gresham, Ore.; stepdaughter Lynda Lantz in Gresham; stepson Jeffrey Heilman in Corvallis; granddaughter Ursula DeBray; Robynn Harris who was like another daughter in Gresham; his church family at Coupeville’s Living Hope Foursquare Church; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Jack wanted us to gather together to celebrate his life. Memorial services will be held at the Living Hope Foursquare Church at 105 NW Broadway, Coupeville, on Tuesday, May 9 at 6 p.m. There will be a potluck dinner immediately following the ceremony.

The family asks in lieu of flowers to please send a donation to the Jack Kempees Memorial Fund c/o Whidbey Island Bank, P. O. Box 930, Coupeville, WA 98239. Arrangements entrusted to Affordable Burial and Cremation Services, LLC, Mount Vernon.