James Kelley DeCrow's Obituary
James Kelley DeCrow, Sr., 83, devoted and loving father, husband, grandfather and great-grandfather died peacefully October 27, 2012 at his residence in Kirby Pines Retirement Community. Through the years he was a member of Oakhaven United Methodist Church, Andrews Memorial Methodist Church and Bellevue Baptist Church. In his younger years he achieved the rank of Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and was a member of DeMolay. Prior to his decorated service in the Korean War, Mr. DeCrow assisted in the designing of the Baptist Memorial Hospital downtown Memphis. He was formally employed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and retired from both Fruehauf and Great Dane. He loved to build and fly radio controlled airplanes and flew small aircraft in the Civil Air Patrol. Mr. DeCrow was preceded by his loving wife of 43 years, Frances Sissell DeCrow. He leaves four sons and their wives, Greg (Peggy), Craig (Debbie), Kelley (Kim), and Shawn (Shasta). He was grandfather to David (Kim), Nathan (Paula), Brad (Connie), and Adam, great-grandfather to Zoe, Caleb, Justice, and Conner, and his loving extended family. He was a man who wasn’t afraid to follow his dreams, put family first and who was a true friend to those fortunate enough to know him. Family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday October 30 at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Memphis Memory Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Dementia and Alzheimer’s associations, Disabled American Veterans or the charity of the donor’s choice.
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