Dr. John H. (Jake) DeTar, MD, 86, passed into eternal life on Nov. 20, 2011, in his home, in Hauser, surrounded by his loving family.

Born June 16, 1925, into an over-achieving family in Detroit, Mich., his father, Dr. John S. DeTar (Claudis DeTar, mother) was a past president of the American Academy of General Practitioners and a co-founder of Blue Shield. His uncle Vernon was an internationally recognized organist and choirmaster.

He is survived by his sister Mary Roth, of San Diego, his wife of 62 years, Ann Wilson DeTar, and seven sons and five daughters: John DeTar (Mary now deceased), Cathy Dillon (Tom), Molly Murphey (Rick), Dr. Josephine DeTar, Amy Ginski (Steve), Dr. Michael DeTar (Carrie), Patrick DeTar (Angelica), Dr. Thomas DeTar (Cynthia), Francis DeTar (Maureen), Daniel DeTar (Celia), Therese Cook (Jared), and Dr. Edward DeTar (Julie). In addition, 64 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren survive him. He also is preceded in death by two great-grandchildren.

After attending Dennison University, Dr. DeTar received his medical degree in 1948 from the University of Michigan. He continued his postgraduate studies at University of Virginia and Yale, and completed his residency program at Virginia Mason Hospital, Seattle. Stationed in Elmendorf Air Force base, Alaska, during the Korean War, he provided medical care for many, including indigenous Eskimos in the area. He then practiced Urology for more than 40 years in Reno, Nev., serving on the staff at St. Mary's Hospital and Washoe Medical Center.

He founded the Incandescent Cystoscope Fund, which donated needed urology equipment throughout the Third World, especially in Africa. He loved his profession, and treated his patients with dignity and grace, which inspired many of his children to likewise enter the medical field.

Jake DeTar's patriotic interest in politics throughout his life included anti-communist grassroots lobbying and letter-writing campaigns. "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing" was emblematic of Jake's approach to public action. After his conversion to Catholicism, his activism focused on the recognition of the doctrine of the establishment of the Social Kingship of Christ. He was outspoken in his defense of the unborn and in the cultivation of a Culture of Life "from the womb to the tomb."

In the 1960s, Dr. DeTar founded Athanasius Press, a conservative Catholic publishing house to preserve traditional Catholic teaching and liturgy. He was one of the first to critically analyze the negative effects of the new translations of the Mass.

He wrote "Crusillo: To Deceive the Elect," now in its fourth edition, and whose title is taken from Matthew's Gospel. This gospel is read once a year on the last Sunday of the Church calendar, which this year was on the day he died. In recent years he was happy to see that the Church was bringing back her traditional liturgy, a cause to which he was dedicated.

He was a great proponent of physical fitness and sports activities, much to the delight and benefit of his growing brood who would accompany him to the slopes of Slide Mountain and Mount Rose Ski Resort, in Nevada. When jogging became a new activity in the culture, Jake found a new passion, entering many running races over the years.

He also was an avid sailor, spending most his summers in Michigan, racing E scows with his children on Torch Lake, his favorite place in the world. He treasured many memories on the golf course as well. In later years, he could be found at Idlewild Park, Reno, on the skating rink, demonstrating his spins, crossovers, slides and glides to everyone's delight, although Ann, his wife, had forbidden him to do jumps without a helmet.

Jake embraced the good, the true, and the beautiful. This manifested itself in his love for God through the practice of his Catholic faith, his love for his family whom he imbibed with an appreciation for Christian culture, and his patriotic love for his country. Jake would ask, in your charity, to please pray for the repose of his soul.

Rosary: 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, at Immaculate Conception Church, 614 E. Fifth Ave., Post Falls.

Requiem Mass: 8 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, 2011, Immaculate Conception Church, followed by burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, 17806 E. Trent Ave., Spokane. For further information call (208) 777-7156.

Please sign John's guest registry and view online memorial at www.englishfuneralchapel.com