Jean-Pierre (Pierre) Andre Raymond Betz II was born on February 18, 1989, in Germany. He was 33 years young at the time of his unexpected passing on September 10, 2022, in Newport News, Virginia. He proudly served his country in the Air Force from 2008 until he was honorably discharged in 2012.
Pierre was a beautiful soul, polite, helpful, had a huge smile and a personality that was larger than life. Friends and family remember him as the ‘comedian’ who had an uncanny way of making people laugh, especially when he and his lifelong Best Friend/Brother Derek McLaurin were together.
He loved real estate (obtained his real estate license while in high school), loved to cook (acquired his certification in Personal Training and Nutrition while in the Military). He had a great passion for fishing and especially loved to with his late ‘GPA’ (Vaughn Guy) who played a significant role in raising Pierre into the truly compassionate young man he was. We are sure he is fishing with his GPA and making some of the best New Orleans Gumbo with his grandma Betz-Houk in Heaven now.
His Uncle Jimmy recalls fondly the special day of becoming Pierre’s Godfather, as well as the incredible meal he cooked for them during a family visit in 2019. Aunt Teresa would always refer to Pierre as the apple of her eyes and remembers how he would ask her for a hamburger, french fry (just one), and a toy when he wanted to go to McDonald’s as a child. Uncle Robert was a peer and friend to Pierre. They all played such a positive role in shaping Pierre into the incredible young man he became.
Pierre lived with his mom in Newport News and visited his grandparents in Raeford, North Carolina often. God and Family were incredibly important to Pierre. He was always asking his GMA for guidance on specific scriptures he would come across. His mother Donna was his rock, his stability, and his security. She would often answer the phone to him singing, “I just called to say I love you” or something else that would instantly bring a smile to her face. He would leave voice messages to either tell her how much he loved her or how much he wanted Kimchi soup and sometimes both. He really Loved his Kimchi Soup and Pho.
Pierre is survived by his beloved mother Donna S. Betz, father Maurice Betz (Renee), his GMA Leonor Guy, Uncle James (Melanie) Krom, Uncle Robert Krom, Aunt Teresa Krom, Aunt/family friend Diane Obeid (Talal), Half sister Heavenly Elkins (Henry), Uncle Armand Betz (Pat), and a host of cousins and dear friends who were more like family. He is preceded in death by his grandma Dottie Betz-Houk, and his GPA Vaughn Guy.
Please join us in celebrating his life. Visitation, viewing and service will be held Saturday morning September 17, 2022, between 10:00 am- 11:30 am viewing, 11:30-1:00 pm service at Altmeyer Funeral Home – Denbigh Chapel, 12983 Jefferson Ave., Newport News, Virginia. An internment will occur at A.G. Horton Veteran’s Cemetery, 5210 Milner’s Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434 on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at 10:00 am.
