James de Jong
Fairview Heights | Save
James "Jim” de Jong, age 75, of Fairview Heights, IL, born on July 19, 1951, in Evanston, IL, died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at his home surrounded by his family.
In 1976, Jim suffered an accident that would change the trajectory of his life. His accident spurred on his will to live life to the fullest. He spent the next 50 years tirelessly working as a disability rights leader and national advocate for people with disabilities.
Jim was on the U.S. House of Representatives Task Force on the Rights and Empowerment of People with Disabilities Executive Committee that steered the Americans with Disabilities Act through Congress. One of his proudest moments was being at the White House Rose Garden for the signing of the ADA into law with President George H.W. Bush in 1990. Jim retired in 2018 after 27 years as the Executive Director of the University of Missouri Great Plains ADA Center in Columbia, Missouri. Jim has left an indelible mark on the world we all live in.
Jim graduated from Arizona State University in 1973. His true love was always baseball, and coaching his children in Little League baseball and softball was his passion. He loved the skepticism coaching from his wheelchair elicited until his teams won. Jim was a devoted husband and father. It didn’t matter how many senators called on him, being a good husband and father came first. He loved picking out the perfect wine with Molly or going to a St. Louis Cardinals game with Nick. He was a proud Mizzou fan. A beer and a football gameday tailgate with his family and friends was his idea of a perfect day. He would tell everyone, “The best way to honor me is to go and live your best life.”
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jan and Jeanne de Jong.
Jim is survived by his wife of 35 years, Amy de Jong, nee Crank; his children, Nicholas de Jong of St. Louis, MO, and Molly (Caleb) Feehs, of Arlington, VA; and his sister, Janean Hendley of Mesa, AZ, and many nephews and nieces.
A Celebration of Life will be on Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Stonewolf Golf Clubhouse, 1195 Stonewolf Trail, Fairview Heights, IL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Daniel Boone Little League, Challenger League for Children with Disabilities Turf Fund, P.O. Box 1885, Columbia, MO 65205.
Kassly Mortuary, Ltd.
