David DeJean

David DeJean, a former Salem resident and son of Edgar and Elinor DeJean, died Oct. 10, 2021, in California where he resided.

Born in Terre Haute in 1945, David spent most of his early years in Salem and went through the Salem school system from first grade through high school, graduating in the class of 1963. He then went on to Indiana University where he was editor of the 1966 yearbook and graduated the following year with a B.A. in journalism.

David then worked at the Louisville Courier Journal and Times for almost 15 years starting as a copy editor and moving up to the “Scene” magazine and later to the editorial staff. In 1977 he was awarded a nine month Neiman fellowship run at Harvard University. Upon his return to Louisville he worked in the circulation department focusing on the then upcoming technologies.

In 1981, he moved to Santa Ana, California, to work on a new technology called Videotex, underwritten by the Los Angeles Times. After three years, he returned to Louisville to work for the WHAS TV company presenting high tech video conferencing to organizations. David spent 1985 at Chemical Bank in New York, working in the new field of electronic banking.

He then moved to Newton, Massachusetts and worked mainly as a writer for several high technology companies and computer publications including PC/Computing and PC Week. David co-wrote Lotus Notes At Work, the first book on the groupware program Lotus Notes, with his wife, Sally, published in 1991.

In 2009 David and Sally joined the Peace Corps and served two and a half years in a rural village in South Africa, about 50 miles from Pretoria.

Since retirement in 2012, he and Sally have traveled across the United States each year visiting presidential libraries, national parks, state capitals, museums, and other interesting spots, always trying to fit in a stop in Salem to see friends and family. He has also been involved in his church, leading Bible studies.

In 2016 David was a recipient of the Salem Lion Legacy Class Award of which he was very proud.

David is survived by Sally, his wife off 55 years; his children, Benjamin, Hector, and Daisy; five grandchildren; and sisters Sherri Passo, Patricia DeJean, Yvonne DeJean, and Julie DeJean; and Aunt Carolyn Haag.

Memorial gifts in David’s name can be made to the Washington County Community Fund, the Edgar and Elinor DeJean Scholarship Fund.

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