Jerry Leonard Van Ooyen

Jerry L. Van Ooyen, 81, passed away in Sandpoint, ID on Thursday, December 8, 2011. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Thursday, December 15th, in the Sandpoint First Lutheran Church. Pastor Dave Olson, First Lutheran Church, will be officiating and interment will be in Pinecrest Memorial Park. Jerry was born on March 17, 1930 in Milwaukee, WI the son of Leonard and Helen Van Ooyen. He graduated from Antigo High School in 1948. He excelled in baseball, basketball, football and track. In 1947 he was scouted, and tried out as a pitcher, with the Chicago Cubs but declined their offer. He married Dottie Meyer on Aug. 13, 1951 in Evansville, IN. In 1996 he was invited back to Antigo High School and inducted into the Hall of Fame. He accepted a football scholarship to Indiana University and started all 4 years. He was named the “national back of the week” in 1951 for his performance in the upset of Woody Hay’s Ohio State Buckeyes. In his senior year he was named Scholastic All American and honorable mention All American Back. He entered the University Air Force ROTC program and graduated, in 1952, as a 2nd LT, with a degree in physical education. He was stationed at Edgar Air Force Base in Morocco for 2 years. The family settled in Ramona, CA where he taught history and was the head high school football coach. He also enjoyed a successful real estate career in Ramona, CA prior to moving to Sandpoint, ID in 1970. In Sandpoint he worked as a Real Estate Broker for 27 years. He always appreciated the area and what it had to offer, helping many families find a piece of property and a new home. Jerry was a member of First Lutheran Church and sang bass in the choir while his wife, Dottie, directed the choir. He also attended, and was very active in the Clark Fork Lutheran Church. He enjoyed fishing on Lake Pend Oreille in the early K and K Derbies and hunting in the area. He loved playing golf at the Elk’s, with his own foursome, for many years. Jerry followed all sports intensely and loved the “pools.....” He and Dottie were blessed to be able to travel the world, taking annual trips, from 1972 until 1983. He was known for his devotion to, and his love of his best friend, Dottie. His friends will miss his simple caring and giving nature and his son Randy will miss “his best friend.” He is survived by his wife, of 60 years, Dottie; his son Randy (and Jolanda) Van Ooyen, and his grand daughter Jenny Van Ooyen all living in Sandpoint. His parents and 2 sisters Claire and Helen preceded him in death.