Robert Bruce DeKay's Obituary
Robert “Deke” Bruce DeKay, 85 Robert “Deke” Bruce DeKay entered eternal life on Sunday, 8 March 2015 at his home surrounded by loved ones. He was 85 years old, but he would tell you he was 86, always adding one year to his actual age. He enjoyed hearing folks declare how young he looked and always enjoyed seeing jaws drop after driving a golf ball off the tee, so adding one year only aided and abetted the impressiveness that was Bob “Deke” DeKay. Scoring his age well into his mid-seventies, he loved to play golf and loved the people that he met on the golf course. Deke had a wicked sense of humor, and if you were really lucky, you may have been on the receiving end of one of his practical jokes. He adored his family and was most content when surrounded by his wife, sisters, brothers, sons, daughter and loving grandkids. Deke was born on 15 July 1929 in Ithaca, NY to Seeley Calvin ”Deke” DeKay and Rose Agnes Vida DeKay. A graduate of Ithaca High School, Deke was drafted by the Detroit Tigers baseball organization at the age of 18. He played for their minor league team, the Jamestown Falcons, from 1948-1950. Deke was a star at everything he did: baseball, football, golf, drawing, painting, horseback riding, dancing, singing. Also, if you never heard him whistle, you missed something. Truly, because of his many talents, he was the kind of guy you didn’t really want to like; and, to add insult to injury, he was dashingly handsome. But once around him, his kindness, genuine interest and infectious humor made you an instant “Pal”. He was drafted by the Army in 1953 where he served as Private First Class during the Korean War. He continued to play baseball and found much success on the Army League. While in the Army, he earned sharp shooter designation. Stationed in Germany, Deke would regularly write home to his mother, Rose DeKay, asking if the Catholic Church could help gather donations of coats and warm clothes so that he could distribute them to the poorest families still struggling after WWII. Deke was a giant of a man but was the most sentimental, caring, kind, tenderhearted, and loving man you could ever meet. Returning home after the war, Deke left the baseball diamond behind and proceeded to work for over 40 years selling new and used cars in Ithaca as well as for race car driver, A.J. Foyt in Houston, TX. Deke was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Johnny DeKay; sister, Judy DeKay Welling; and friends and family too numerous to list but not forgotten. He was a man of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love and the beauty and peace that would await him after his passing. I would imagine he is playing catch with his buddy Dave Werner, or perhaps playing the back nine and sharing an off color joke with his sister Judy right about now. He is survived by his adoring wife of 45 years, Virginia “Ginger” Boyd DeKay of McKinney, TX; son, Bobby (Mary) Barnaba of Cleveland, TX; daughter, Bobbie Jo (Matthew) Shoemake of Allen, TX; stepson, Gary (Nancy) Maddux of Mansfield, TX; grandchildren, Chase Barnaba, Clayton Barnaba, Kourtney (Frank) Buck, Shelby Woodman; Haleigh Jo Shoemake, and Travis Brendan Shoemake; great-grandchild, Hayleigh Buck; loving sister, Marlene “Peggy” DeKay Hankes of Houston, TX; brother, Jimmy (Susie) DeKay of Holden Beach, NC; brother-in-law, Frederick Welling of Houston, TX; cousin, Johnny Perko of Ithaca, NY; dear friends, Jessie Soloman of Las Vegas, NV, Betty Werner of Indianapolis, IN, Danny (Wendy) Wallenbeck of Jacksonville, FL, Joyce Paige of Cleveland, OH; and many nieces and nephews. There are not enough pages to share his story. We loved him, and he greatly loved. His wit and gift for story telling, his compassion and kindness will be missed dearly. We say goodbye for now, but I can tell you this: he’s not eating oatmeal or mayonnaise sandwiches (not a childhood favorite growing up during the Depression), he may be enjoying some nice stuffed grape leaves (the best from Syrian Hill, Portland Point), he’s probably requesting the angels sing Unforgettable and Embraceable You (his favorites), but most of all, he’s telling all who will listen how very thankful he was for his life, for his family and dear friends, for the personal relationship he has with his Lord and Savior, and for the trials and tribulations that made him the man he was. We love you, Robert, Bob, Bobby, Deke, Dad, Papa. We’ll miss you, but we look forward to the day we see you again. Service will be held on Saturday, 14 March 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at 2401 Country View Lane, McKinney, TX. In Lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Altus (Hospice) Foundation, 4560 Beltline Rd. Suite 340, Addison, TX 75001. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Restland Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75238 at Restland Road.
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