Peter James Dejanovich

Peter James Dejanovich was born January 12, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois and passed away on January 11, 2023 at the age of 77.

Pete spent his career as a teacher and coach at Napoleon High School in Napoleon, Michigan for almost 40 years. One of his greatest joys was mentoring and coaching his students and athletes. During his tenure at NHS, he taught various business courses, and many remember these wise words from his Accounting classes…”You can’t compare apples to oranges. You have to compare apples to apples” and “It will pay dividends in the end.”

Pete was an avid lover of Notre Dame football, but above all else, he loved his family. He was a beloved husband and father survived by his loving wife Bette who was by his side for 43 years, and his two children, Jeffin (Shaun Fowler) and Bryan (Molly) Dejanovich. He and Bette moved to Alabama in 2018 to be closer to their kids. In 2014, his life was forever changed when his grandson Connor was born, and again in 2016, when his granddaughter Ella came along. He loved being their Papa. He’s also blessed with adoring bonus family members Jilda Strader and Jackson Fowler. One of he and Bette’s greatest joys each week was playing poker with their dear friends, Lee Ann Braswell, Kim Monterusso, Charla Boswell, and Jilda, better known as “The Ladies.”

He is also survived by his twin brother, John, and brother, Jim, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Pete, as he was lovingly called, always put his family first and nothing made him happier than spending time with them. He will be greatly missed by many. He was preceded in death by his beloved Jack Russell Terrier, Bayleigh.

Memorial service for friends and family will be held in his honor in Napoleon, Michigan at a later date.