Jack Abrahamse Van Dam was called home to his Lord and Savior on July 14, 2011, at the age of 86. He was a native son, born in San de Fuca on Feb. 2, 1925, to Whidbey pioneers, Eldred C. “Al” and Jennie M.(Abrahamse) Van Dam.

Jack was raised on the family farm on Van Dam Road in San de Fuca and attended the San de Fuca Schoolhouse in his elementary years, graduating from Coupeville High School in 1943. In order to play on the high school basketball team, he willingly walked six miles home after practice each day.

Following graduation, Jack enlisted in the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the Navy Landing Ship USS LCI-598 in World War II.

Following the war, Jack returned home and worked at the sawmill in San de Fuca. Several years later, he began his career for Civil Service in the Fuel Branch Department at NAS Whidbey, working for 30 years and retiring at age 55 as Fuel Branch supervisor.

Jack married Margie Kamps on June 17, 1949, in Lynden. They had four children together who all reside in Oak Harbor. Jack was introduced to Margie by his brother, Mike, who was married to Margie’s sister, Helen, which created an extra close family connection.

Jack began a lifelong passion for building, constructing their first home with hand-sawn wood, eventually building 33 homes. Jack also enjoyed volunteering time for home repairs for the needy and elderly. He was a lifetime member of the First Reformed Church of Oak Harbor.

Jack and Margie loved camping and picnicking with family. After retirement they became snowbirds for the next 18 years. During their travels they loved being involved with helping in mission work, building and remodeling churches throughout the western United States.

Jack and Margie were blessed with 49 wonderful years of marriage before Margie went home to be with the Lord.

On March 16, 1999, Jack married Margene (Grooters) VandeGarde in Oak Harbor. Jack and Margene enjoyed traveling, working at a Bible camp in Palmer, Alaska and picking apples in Eastern Washington for the missions in Seattle.

Jack began to develop health issues and for the past six years underwent kidney dialysis at the Puget Sound Kidney Center in Oak Harbor.

Jack is survived by his wife Margene and by his four children and their spouses: Linda Nickols (Tom), Ron Van Dam (Nancy), Wayne Van Dam (Amy) and Joanie Wiaczek (James); six grandchildren: Sarah Nickols, Isaac Nickols, Tyson Van Dam (Carla), Lacey Lang (Kevin), Molly Van Dam and Max Van Dam; five great-grandsons; his brother, Mike Van Dam (Jan) and sister Pat Looff (Don), all of Oak Harbor.

He is also survived by his five stepchildren and their spouses: Donna Faulkner (Paul) of Seattle, Judy Ross (Mark) of Camano Island, Vernon VandeGarde (Shelly) of Lynden, Nancy Farrington (Steve) of Custer and David VandeGarde (Christine) of Lynden; three step-grandchildren and three step-great granddaughters.

Viewing will be held at Wallin Funeral Home on Friday, July 22, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. A family graveside service will be held, prior to the memorial service, at Maple Leaf Cemetery with military honors provided by the NAS Whidbey Honor Guard. A memorial service will be held at the First Reformed Church in Oak Harbor on Saturday, July 23, at 11 a.m. with Pastor Jon Brown officiating. There will be a reception at Wezeman Hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Gideons International or the First Reformed Church Missions Fund. Friends and family are encouraged to share memories and condolences at www.wallinfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are entrusted to Wallin Funeral Home, Oak Harbor.