John Neil “Johnny” Van Dusen, age 82, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his home in Klamath, CA, on May 28th after a long battle with cancer.
A lifelong Del Norte County businessman, Johnny was born in Ashland, Oregon in 1940. When John was six his family moved to Klamath where they owned a dairy farm on Requa Road. After graduating from Del Norte High in 1958, John worked in the lumber industry, for Del Norte Box and Simpson Lumber, before owning and operating Van Dusen Lath Products. He was a 4-H leader, member of the Elks Club and served on the Del Norte County Fair Board. John was a passionate competitor, first on area racetracks in a stock car and later in logging shows all over northern California and southern Oregon, as a Hot Saw competitor and organizer.
He enjoyed abalone diving with friends in his youth.
John was a loving father to his four children and enjoyed spending time with friends and family, working in his shop and around his home.
He, with his wife, Jeanette, enjoyed spending much of their time raising llamas and cows at their home on Requa Hill, creating memories for the children in the family.
John will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 21 years, Jeanette (Souza) Van Dusen of Klamath, daughters, Julie Bergren, of Crescent City and Marie Reed (Robert), of Austin, TX, sister Jessie Thomas, of Brookings, 8 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild, numerous nieces and nephews, and his lifelong friends: Robbie and Donnis Melvin of Klamath, and Bob and Ronna Hovis of Arkansas.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Faith Van Dusen, children Dorothy Gregory Shields and Robert Van Dusen, sister, Bobbie Garrett, and niece, Virginia Garrett Andresen.
A Celebration of Life and potluck will be held Saturday, August 12th at 1 p.m. at the Camper Corral in Klamath.