John Paul Degryse

John Paul DeGryse, 72 of Savannah, GA passed away on December 26, 2019, surrounded by his family at Savannah Hospice house after a courageous battle with prostate cancer. John was the 5th of 6 children born to Charles William and Sara O’Malley DeGryse in Evanston, IL on December 18, 1947. He spent his childhood running the streets of Evanston near the Northwestern University campus and in his beloved Lake Michigan. John was a graduate of Loyola Academy in Wilmette, IL in 1966 and received a B.A. degree in History (71, ) and M.S. Degree in Special Education (‘86) from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. He was an educator in Illinois for 31 years, with the last 20 years in Quincy, IL. He was a self-taught handyman, even building a log home in Southern Illinois on Hound Dog Ridge, Vienna, IL and several home remodeling projects. He was an elder at and Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church in Savannah. John served as the Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troup 136 out of First Presbyterian Church in Quincy, IL where his son, Phil attained Eagle Scout rank. He and Phil also did a 10-day backpacking trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in 2002, traveling via train. He was an energetic, talented organizer and used it to serve schools, churches, scouts, and his family. He retired in 2007 to the southeastern US (Rock Hill, SC and GA) and enjoyed this time serving churches and neighbors and being part of the senior blitz at the Bacon Park Golf Club, and always had fun improving his game. He had a love of his “O” gauge Lionel train set and had it set up in the family’s living room for the last few years!

He will be missed deeply by his wife Susan of 35 1/2 years, and sons, Phillip, Charlie, and Nick Stoutt (Dariel). He is also survived by siblings: Bill (Esther) of Palm Beach, FL; Sally (Jack) Abrams of Manitowoc, WI; Marty (Joe) O’Connor of Chicago, IL; brother-in-law Kent Jamison (Thona) of Avon, CT; Phillip (Andrea) of Freeland, WA; and many brothers-in-law, and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews. John was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Ellen Jamison.

A Memorial Service will be held at Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church on Sunday, December 29, 2019 at 2 p.m. Reception will follow immediately in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Leukemia Society (340 Eisenhower Dr., Ste. 220, Savannah, GA 31406), American Cancer Society (4849 Paulsen St. Suite 102, Savannah, GA 31405), or Wilmington Island Presbyterian Church, (450 N. Cromwell Rd., Savannah, GA 31410).

A special thank you to Hospice Savannah.

Low Country Cremation and Burial is serving the DeGryse family.