Edward DeJong, 86, of Arizona City, Arizona, passed away Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

Ed was born Dec. 5, 1930, the last of six children, to Lieuwe and Richtje DeJong in Friesland, Netherlands.

Ed immigrated after World War II to Ontario, Canada, in 1949 and worked in various labor and sales jobs. He moved from Canada to Minnesota in 1955. He was employed by Wilsons & Co., Watkins, and owned an LP gas business. The family moved to Arizona in 1973 and then to California in 1976, and finally retired to Arizona in 1989.

He and his wife of 62 years, Sadie, were seasoned world travelers, having traveled to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Israel and many countries in Europe.

Ed was an outgoing, talkative person and a stranger would quickly become a friend. He was an owner-operator trucker for many years buying and selling milk cans and cream separators. He was a member of Truckstop Ministries and Evangelical Methodist Church of Arizona City.

Survivors include his six children, Calvin of Arizona City, Jessie (Mike) Mays of Jerome, Idaho, Sandra (Dale) Christopher of Simi Valley, California; Dan (Cindy) of Vail, Arizona, David (Cindy) of Casa Grande, Arizona, and Mary (Rick) Kirkpatrick of Fruitland, Idaho; 26 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren with three more on the way; one brother, Harry, of Ontario; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters and one brother.

Services took place Thursday at Evangelical Methodist Church of Arizona City. Interment will be in Eloy Memorial Park in Eloy, Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to missions through Evangelical Methodist Church, P.O. Box 267, Arizona City, AZ 85123.