In Memory of Pete De Jong

February 20, 1927 - July 15, 2020 Trustee Emeritus, Westminster Seminary California

Westminster Seminary California (WSC) has lost a faithful friend and passionate advocate of the seminary’s mission to educate pastors for the church. On July15, 2020, Pete de Jong, age 93, of Escondido, California, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Rena (Dragt), five children, 34 grandchildren, and 44 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by their youngest son, William in 2005.

Pete de Jong was born in the Netherlands. His large family moved to the United States in 1949. Pete followed in 1950 after finishing his tour of duty with the Dutch Army in Indonesia. Together with his extended family he began Hollandia Dairy in Escondido, CA. This 28-cow dairy had an attached “Cash and Carry” store. He trained his six children in the ways of milking, packaging, and selling the products. As co-owner of the dairy, he spent many years in charge of public relations, marketing, and administration. Hollandia Dairy remains a family-owned and thriving business, producing, packaging, and distributing fresh milk and dairy products to families and schools in Southern California.

Pete’s business skills and love for meeting people were used mightily as he became involved in his church and community. He was elected to the Board of Trustees of Westminster Seminary California in 1986 and served several terms, a total of 14 years. Pete was an advocate for the students and an early visionary for building on-campus student housing. In 2009 the WSC Board of Trustees conferred on Pete de Jong the title of Trustee Emeritus.

Dr. W. Robert Godfrey, President Emeritus, writes, “We are very thankful at WSC for the life of Pete de Jong who

"For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

EPHESIANS 2: 8-9 ESV

was always a great help and inspiration to us. He helped on the Board with wise business advice that so increased seminary income that he became known as ‘maximum Pete.’ Much more he inspired us with his constant enthusiasm to speak of Jesus and his Gospel. We miss him.”

His zeal for the Gospel of Jesus Christ was evident in his work, in his volunteer service and with his family. His family tells the story of what they called his “Gospel Car.” He used this car to go out witnessing to others. Rev. Christopher J. Gordon (WSC M.Div. 2004 graduate) was Pete’s pastor at the Escondido Untied Reformed Church in the last years of Pete’s life. Pastor Gordon recalls that - during his time as a student at WSC – he would go with Pete de Jong door-to-door to be a witness for Jesus Christ. Chris reports, “The idea of going door-to-door could be a bit nerve-wracking, but Pete always had a way of calming even those hostile to the gospel. His love for Christ was authentic, and people, observing his sincerity, wanted to hear him. I never remember having one door slammed in our face.” There was nothing Pete de Jong enjoyed more than sharing the story of salvation through Christ with those he met.

“He inspired us with his constant enthusiasm to speak of Jesus and his Gospel. We miss him.”