John “Jack” DeKreek died unexpectedly November 14, 2024 at the age of 86. Jack was born in Muskegon, Michigan to John and Dorothy DeKreek. He graduated from Kalamazoo State High School in 1956 and after graduation he accepted a golf scholarship to Kalamazoo College.<br><br>He also attended Western Michigan University and Mexico City College. Jack spent his youth on Gull Lake, Michigan where he enjoyed fishing, hunting and all sports. This is where he developed childhood, high school, and lifetime friendships. Jack’s interests were mostly in sports, both as a fan, and as a participant. At Kalamazoo State High, he was a member of the 1955 and 1956 Golf Team State Champions and the #1 ranked football team in the state where he was an all-state defensive back. His golf highlights include 4 hole-in-ones and shooting many rounds in the 60s. Some of his favorite memories included playing golf with his three sons, Doug, Dave and Todd-the perfect foursome; all with single digit handicaps trying their hardest to take money from Dad.<br><br>In 1964, Jack moved from Michigan to Modesto, California with his former wife, Patricia, and their three sons. There, he was employed as a building consultant/sales manager for a construction company. In 1965, Jack then moved to Woodland, CA, opening a construction company, DBA Guaranteed Homes. For the next four years, the company built many homes in Yolo, Solano, and Colusa counties. In 1968, Jack and his father, John, started DeKreek Construction Company, building homes in and around Woodland and the greater Yolo County area.<br><br>Jack obtained his real estate brokers license in 1974 and became a partner in Yolo County Realty where he worked until he left in 1988 to form DeKreek Realty. His son, Dave, joined him and they worked side by side until Jack retired in 2008 at the age of 70.<br><br>Jack married the former Marilyn Bingham in 1976. They loved traveling together on golf vacations to Mazatlán, Palm Desert, Monterey, Lake Tahoe, and Graeagle. Jack was a member of the Yolo Fliers Club since 1965 and the Elks Club since 1958. He and Marilyn hosted Christmas eves, summer barbeques, and swimming parties for his ever-growing family. He loved the festive family get togethers.<br><br>Jack is preceded in death by his parents, John (1989) and Dorothy (1982) and is survived by his wife Marilyn of 48 years, sons Doug (Alison) of Folsom, Dave (Shelli) of Woodland, Todd (Sandy) of Folsom, step-daughter, Kimberly (Michael) of Colorado, &amp; brother Barry and his wife (Sharee) of Georgia.<br><br>He is also survived by grandchildren Kalyn, Kendall, Brittany, Brenna, Haley, Lincoln, Kingston, step-grandchild, Karley, and great-grand-children, Haven &amp; Jackson.<br><br>A Celebration of Life for Jack will be held at the Yolo Fliers Club on January 5,2025 from 1pmto 4pm.<br><br>Donations can be made to Shriners Children’s Hospital.<br><div><br></div>