.
.
John TenEyck Van Deusen, of Whittier and longtime resident of Sandy Springs GA., was released by his family, who surrounded him, to journey to his Heavenly home, into the welcoming love of his God, and the beckoning arms of his bride Peggy, Wednesday November 16, 2011. Born October 10, 1925, he grew up in Washington, DC and attended Woodrow Wilson High School, and graduated from Brown University. John married his sweetheart Peggy Schaaff and followed his Father Col. Edwin Sanders Van Deusen and brother, Ed Jr., entering the military to serve in the United States Navy. He retired from the US Securities and Exchange Commission where he served as an investigator in the stocks and bonds division for 30 years.
"Windy" as his friends called him, had only a few loves in his life.
The first was "Peggy" his bride who surrounded him with joy, beauty, and a passionate faith in Jesus Christ. He was always amazed that he had been able to capture Peggy's heart and he cherished her until his last breath.
Windy's second love was his five children. Rusty, John "Chippa" Jr., Sandy, Linda, and Kim. Little mattered to Windy beyond the stability and happiness of his children and their families.
The highlight of his year was the week long family gathering at St. George Island off the southwest gulf coast of Florida. For many years, John and Peggy, their children and families would hold up in a spacious beach villa to make music, hold talent shows, flop around in the surf, and graze on elaborate meals. The love of family, creativity, and simple enjoyment of being together, as well as the deep relationships established during these weeks have been carried on by the Van Deusen children and grandchildren as a legacy. John presided over these events with great joy!
"Windy's" remaining love was his life-long passion and devotion to his instrument, the trumpet, and it's expression, jazz. "Windy" was a founder of the Modernaires, a well-known big-band jazz outfit that played venues throughout the southeast in the sixties and seventies and that continues to play in the Atlanta area today.
John was preceded in death by his wife Peggy Schaaff Van Deusen, and is survived by his five children, seventeen grandchildren, and three great grandchildren.
Son Rusty and wife Susan Van Deusen of Washington, their three children, Krista married to Lance Hoffman with their son Will; Kelly married to Ben Wright, with their son's Myles and Colin; and John Van Deusen married to Annababe DeHart Van Deusen;
Son John Jr. and wife Laurie Van Deusen of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., and their children Ashton and Caroline;
Daughter Sandy Culpepper OF Sandy Springs, GA., and her children Stephanie, Russell, and Peggy;
Daughter Linda and husband Colin Goggin of Whittier, and children Charlie, Zoe, and Henry;
Daughter Kim and husband John Talmage of Montpelier, VA., and children Mellissa, Robbie, Kyle, Jacob, and Ducote.
An informal Memorial will be held for family and friends throughout Sunday afternoon November 20th at Mount Vernon Towers, 300 Johnson Ferry Rd. Sandy Springs, GA, 30328 from 1:00PM to 4:00PM. Please enter through the gated parking, identifying yourself as participating in the memorial, and park in the rear of the facility.
.