Virgil Decow

Virgil Lee DeCow age 92 passed from this life and was reunited with his beloved wife on July 28, 2020 which would have been their 74th wedding anniversary

Virgil was born on January 28, 1928 just outside of Oswego to Clyde and Maggie (Mozingo) DeCow. He was raised in the Bartlett area and attended local schools, graduating from Labette County High School. During a basketball game in Vinita, Oklahoma he met Martha May Monroe, after dating for a period the couple was united in marriage on July 28, 1946. It was during high school that Boeing had reached out to Virgil’s shop instructor and told him that anyone he recommended would get hired on, while standing in line for an interview he was told all positions had been filled and he and a friend he made in line went to see if Cessna had any openings and they hired both of the men on the spot. This would be the start a 40 year career for Virgil as a machinist for Cessna. A testament to his devotion and skill is that during that span he was never laid off. Virgil and Martha were blessed with three sons and a daughter. In his spare time he enjoyed going to garage sales, going to the dump to reclaim others trash and make them work again, building dog houses to sale at the local lumber yard, hunting quail and pheasant, and a favorite was fishing; setting trotlines, taking the boat on the pond, from catfish to bass he loved it all. In addition to being a devoted husband, employee, dad, and grandpa, Virgil loved his church. He was a member of the Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder, deacon, and the custodian. Virgil and Martha had a group of friends that took turns hosting card night every two weeks for over 20 years; his love for games was still with him in the assisted living where he was one to watch for during dollar bingo and candy bar bingo.

Virgil’s memories will live on with his children; Glenn DeCou his wife Shelley, Greg DeCow his wife Stephanie, and Janet Yost her husband Terry, grandchildren; Joshua Yost his wife Violeta, Nicole Tidwell her husband Adam, Molly Hunt her husband Bryan, Christina Armstrong her husband Ty, and Elisabeth Frisbie her husband Jake, great-grandchildren; Alejandra Garza, Alex Yost, Nicholas Yost, Malissa Armstrong, and great-great-grandson Luciano.

He now rests with his parents, his wife Martha, son James DeCow, and granddaughter Melissa Yost.

Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020 at 11:00am at Lake Creek Cemetery outside of Bartlett with Pastor Diane Massey officiating. The family suggests memorials be made payable to the Melissa Yost Scholarship Fund and they may be sent in care of Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel 2405 Woodland Ave. Coffeyville, KS 67337. To share a memory or a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com