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Submitted: 5/22/18 • Approved: 5/23/18 • Last Updated: 5/26/18 • R1223877-G0-S3
SPECIALIST THIRD CLASS US Army
Korea
June 21, 1935 - October 14, 2016
Rene J. Van de Velde of San Diego, California, died Friday, October 14, 2016, in Forrest City, Arkansas at the age of 81.
Rene was born in South Bend, Indiana on June 21, 1935 to George and Martha Van de Velde. He was an engineer for Cubic Corp in San Diego, California for 29 years. . There was no denying Rene was a perfectionist and we had no doubt of that, when he found and married the love of his life, Jo Ann Cozart in 1980 after meeting her on the Carnival Cruise, the Love Boat Cruise. They have been happily married for the last 36 years.
Rene was a firm believer in Jesus Christ and attended church regularly in Wynne, Arkansas and San Diego, California. Rene set aside time every morning to be in God’s word. He loved the Lord, his family, his friends and he was loved by them in return. Rene was an avid sports fan, especially of Notre Dame. In earlier years, Rene was commonly mistaken for Ted Turner, Rene loved snow skiing, scuba diving, bowling, surfing, fishing and he was an amazing story teller. He took yearly fishing trips with friends to Lake Shasta for 30 years. He served many years on the Board of the Condo Association. He was a self-proclaimed statistician and worldwide traveler. Rene served his country in the U. S. Army, active service 1954 until 1956 and in the reserves until 1964.
Rene is survived by his wife Jo Ann of San Diego and Wynne, daughters, Sandi Lane of Ohio, Brenda Thiel of Florida and his sister, Alice Toth of South Bend, Indiana, two grandsons and six great grandchildren. Rene was preceded in death by his parents, George and Martha Van de Velde.
Visitation will be Monday, October 17, 2016 from 11 AM until 12 PM at Kernodle Funeral Home with services following at 12 PM. Burial will be in Arkansas State Veteran’s Cemetery at Birdeye, Arkansas with nephews, Chris Futrell, Bill Reed and Craig Manley officiatin
Contributed on 5/22/18 by sandycurry10
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Record #: 1223877
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