Jacob M. DeGroote

Jacob Montana DeGroote was born Oct. 9, 1996 in Scottsdale to David and Mari (Zastrow) DeGroote of Fountain Hills. Jacob walked into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Dec. 15, 2016 at the age of 20. He will be celebrating Christmas this year in heaven with his big brother Michael, who preceded him in death just 18 months ago.

Jacob is survived by his parents, Dave and Mari DeGroote and his brother, Joey DeGroote, of Fountain Hills; grandparents, Ray and Louise (Bevcar) DeGroote of Winthrop Harbor, Ill., Wayne Zastrow of Phillips, Wis., and Tisha (Fleischmann) Rose of Hampton, Va.; uncles, Mike DeGroote of Arlington Heights, Ill., Brad Zastrow of McHenry, Ill., Stan Zastrow (deceased) of Boise, Idaho; aunts, Jayne (Zastrow) Emma of Hampstead, N.C. and Amy (Zastrow) Foster of Neenah, Wis.; cousins, Amanda and April Zastrow, Ryan and Allison Emma, Brooke and Blake Foster; and beloved girlfriend, Kylee Poole of Fountain Hills.

Growing up in Fountain Hills Jacob was involved in Little League baseball, Pop Warner Youth Football, Boys & Girls Club basketball, FH Soccer Club, and Christ’s Church youth group.

He graduated with honors from Fountain Hills High School in 2015 where Jacob excelled on the football field as a defensive back and wide receiver, selected to the 2013 all-section all-star team as a wide receiver his junior year. Being a natural, gifted athlete, Jacob participated in inter-scholastic tennis, wrestling, and track, despite having no previous experience in these sports.

As a second year student at Scottsdale Community College, Jacob took great pride in working towards a successful future in Business/Finance. He was honored to have been selected by his instructors to participate in a scholarship business leadership class.

Jacob was a very special and well-loved young man with a smile that lit up a room, intelligence beyond his years, and charm that endeared him to strangers and friends alike. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends, and this entire loving community. “If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them.”

A special Candlelight Vigil will be held Thursday, Dec. 22 at 6 p.m. at Fountain Hills High School football field. Jacob’s Memorial Service and Celebration of Life is being planned for Saturday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. at Christ’s Church of Fountain Hills, 15555 Bainbridge Ave, Fountain Hills, AZ, 85268.