Jan Wessels

Jan Wessels, age 78, of Grants Pass, died Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at his home.

A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 22, 2014 at Hope Presbyterian Church in Rogue River with Pastor Brian Boisen officiating. Hull & Hull Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

Remembrances may be made to the Grants Pass Youth Soccer Club, 327 NE 6th Street #6, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526.

Jan was born June 5, 1935 in Almelo, Netherlands to Johan & Johanna Wessels. He served in the Dutch Army. In 1958 he moved from Holland to Los Angeles, California where he worked for a Porsche dealership as a mechanic. In 1972 he opened his own repair shop which he operated until 1983 when he moved to Grants Pass.

Jan was a member of the Holland Soccer Club in Los Angeles since moving to America. Through the club he was able to meet the Queen of Holland. While living in Grants Pass he coached boys soccer at North Valley High School for four years before becoming a soccer referee for 28 years in Southern Oregon. He also served a term with the Southern Oregon Soccer Commission and assisted in training and instructing young aspiring referees. In 2013 he retired from refereeing due to illness. Jan was a member of Hope Presbyterian Church since1991 and served as a deacon.

Jan enjoyed traveling especially to Holland and Los Angeles to visit family and loved playing soccer.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Wessels of Grants Pass, Oregon; a daughter, Jody Garvey of Grants Pass, Oregon; three sons, Jan Theo Wessels of San Juan Capistrano, California, Rob Wessels of Gardena, California and Rex Wessels of Grants Pass, Oregon; a stepdaughter, Lori Scott of Gardena, California; two stepsons, Stephen Vint of Torrance, California and Patrick Vint of Gardena, California; a sister, Thea Boyer of Jasper, Georgia; 21 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.