Jean Debaets

Jean DeBaets, 86, of Simi Valley, California, passed away peacefully on October 31st in Simi Valley with his family by his side.

Funeral service will be held at Monday, November 9th at 4 p.m. with Reverend Jonathan Mulford officiating. Rose Family Funeral Home will be handling the funeral arrangements.

Jean was born in Klamath Falls, Oregon to Hector and Ethel on March 10, 1929. At the age of 15, he quit school and joined the Army by having his father sign the military papers forging his birthday. Since Hector could not read English, he thought he was signing Jean’s report card. Jean served on active duty until 1949 when he then reenlisted to serve in the U.S. Navy until 1961. During his time in the Army he served in Europe and during his time in the Navy he served in China, the Philippines, and in Korea. He was trained to work in the Optical department as an instrument maker. He served on the U.S.S. Hector and the U.S.S. Prairie. He also played for the Navel Softball Team and traveled to naval bases all over America and Asia putting on exhibition games.

After his Honorable discharge in 1961, Jean worked as a milkman and owned a gas station before he started his own "handyman business". He loved to fish and camp and he and his wife Mickey spent many years traveling the country in their 5th wheel visiting the national parks. He also enjoyed going to every dance recital, baseball, football, and track meet that his grandchildren Jennifer, Phillip and Anthony took part in. He was also involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Canoga Park Post 2805 and in the Veterans of Underage Military Service Organization.

Upon his wife Mickey's death, he moved to Simi Valley and enjoyed eight years living at Ashley Manor Apartments where he enjoyed attending their many events and sitting in the gazebo talking with the neighbors. He loved going to Denny’s with his family, where he had a standing order of pancakes and coffee no matter what time of day.

Jean, our “Pop”, is survived by his children and grandchildren and was preceded in death by his wife, Mickey DeBaets.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff and owners of New Vistas Retirement Home.