Alec Jonathan De Jong

Alec Jonathan De Jong, 21, of Charlottesville, Va. went to be with his loving God in Heaven on Saturday, December 16, 2017. He was the beloved son of Steven and Donna De Jong, twin brother of Brandon and big brother to sister, McKensie. Alec is survived by his grandparents, Madge and Joe Puchalski and Mary De Jong; Aunt Joan and Uncle Tom Munro, Aunt Laurie DeJong, Uncle Gene and Aunt Lisa DeJong; his godparents, Amy and Jim Franklin; and his cousins, Katie Munro, Amanda De Jong, Jonathan De Jong, and Michael De Jong. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, John De Jong. He graduated from The Covenant School in 2015, where he played on their soccer, basketball, lacrosse and golf teams. One of his proudest moments was leading the Covenant Soccer Team to its 2014 State Championship. He travelled to Nicaragua for missionary work. He also participated in Young Life, and was a life guard at ACAC - but his greatest love was coaching the young Dolphins on the swim team. He was recognized by so many people in the community and there was never a person he met that he did not remember. Alec also frequented Bodo’s and Cookout where many egg sandwiches and milkshakes were consumed and stories were unfolded with friends. He loved all things Star Wars and Harry Potter. He was passionate about music and sports. He was an avid fan of the New York Giants; and of course, the Clemson Tigers. Alec was proud to have just reached his senior year at Clemson University after his exams last week. He was a marketing major with a minor in sports management. He had hoped to begin his career in sports or music communications. Alec was passionate about basketball, and would often be seen playing on the Calhoun Courts with his friends. His greatest joy at Clemson was being a leader with Tri-County Young Life. Alec loved sharing the experiences of his life with family and friends. His favorite family vacation spot was Woodloch Pines. He loved his Senior Trip to the Outer Banks with his Covenant friends and was blessed to have a spring break trip with his Clemson friends where they crashed the cities of Philadelphia, New York, and Boston with a quest to see NBA Basketball games. Alec was a young man of strong faith and believed in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love. He was an inspiration to all who knew him. Alec was so full of life and is best described as a bright shining star that always brightened everyone’s day. Alec loved serving the Lord and lived his life serving others. He was a kind person with a gentle soul and a big heart, who touched so many in his short life. The world is much darker now without his light. Joshua 1:9 NIV "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." The family will receive friends Thursday, December 21, 2017, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Teague Funeral Home, 2260 Ivy Road, Charlottesville, Va. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted 9:30 a.m. Friday, December 22, 2017, at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish, 401 Alderman Road, Charlottesville, Va. Entombment will follow at Monticello Memory Gardens. A celebration of Alec’s life and reception will take place at 1 p.m., following graveside services, at The Covenant School – Upper Campus, 175 Hickory Street, Charlottesville, Va. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Alec’s name to an established scholarship fund at The Covenant School. Donations can be sent to www.covenantschool.org/dejongmemorial or checks can be made payable to "The Covenant Endowment Fund" with De Jong Memorial in the memo line and sent to 175 Hickory Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902. Memorial contributions may also be sent to Tri-County Young Life in the memory of Alec De Jong, P.O. Box 512, Anderson, SC 29622