//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpgObituary
Thomas Oliver DePree, age 75, unexpectedly passed away on December 4, 2010, in Miami, Florida, while on vacation with his family.
He was born on Christmas Day, 1934, to the late Kenneth and Margaret DePree of Holland.
Thomas was a graduate of Holland High School where he was the 1953 Senior Class President and also on the football team. He attended Hope College prior to serving on active military duty as a Sergeant in the U. S. Marine Corp in Japan from 1954- 1957. He received his B. A. from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University in New York. While at MSU he met his wife, Deanna Black, and remained happily married for 49 years and 10 months until the time of his death.
After completing his master’s degree in New York, he returned to Holland in 1961 to manage the Franklin Life Insurance Agency that had been in his family since the early 1900’s. He continued to work in the Financial Services and Insurance industry for his career.
His love for democracy, community and government led to his passion and life- long involvement in politics. He was a Political Advisor for many campaigns and an advocate for youth and minority leadership through educational opportunities and the electoral process. DePree served on the Selection Committee for United States Ambassadors during the Reagan era. In 1997, he was honored by The United States House of Representatives in the Congressional Record for his contribution to American Democracy. He was elected multiple times to serve as a Delegate for the Republican National Convention, and served as Chairman of the Ottawa County Republican Party for over a decade. He served as Vice- Chairman for two decades prior to that position. He was a current member of the Ottawa County Republican Party Executive Committee, a position he held since the 1960s.
He was a member of Rotary Club International and current Chairman of the School, Youth and Colleges Committee providing college scholarships for many Holland area students in need. Additionally, he was the Founder of Rotary Leaders for the 21st Century, providing leadership training for young students for over a decade.
Other highlights include being elected as an Ottawa County Commissioner and as President of the Century Club. He was an original and ongoing volunteer for the Waterfront Film Festival, and enjoyed travel around the world including Egypt, Venezuela, Thailand, Japan, St. Lucia, Mexico, The Dominican Republic and Europe.
He is survived by his wife, Deanna DePree of Holland; two daugh-ters, Dana DePree Minter ( Derek) of Saugatuck, and Dori DePree of Saugatuck; a son, Hopwood DePree of Holland and Los Angeles; two brothers, Kenneth DePree of The Dominican Republic, and James DePree of Chicago; a sister, Suzanne DePree of Ashville, North Carolina; and a granddaughter Jetsen Black Minter.
A family visitation will be on Wednesday evening, December 15 from 5 to 7 p. m. at Hope Church, 77 West 11th Street, where he was a life- long member. Funeral services will be Friday evening, December 17, 5: 30 p. m. at Hope Church.
Memorials can be made to the non- profit family organization: Life Services Parent Center, Thomas O. DePree Fund for Families in Need, 11172 Adams Street, Holland, MI 49423.