Memorial to Brother Jonathan Decherd
Brother Johnathan Dechard ('83)
passed away September 3, 2000 from a long battle with non-hodgkin's
lymphoma. His funeral was November 5 at 2:00 p.m. in Austin, Texas.
For cards to his wife
Kimberly and their two children, ages 5 & 3, the address is 3220 Steeple Point
Place, Flower Mound, Texas 75022. He was 37 years
old and graduated from Baylor in 1985. We sent a copy of his
obituary to all current email addresses in our member database.
The following the obituary from the Dallas
Morning News followed by other comments made by brothers fortunate to
have known him. This information will be on the web site and if you
would like to contribute a memory of brother Decherd please email mgary1@uswest.net
with your thoughts.
DECHERD JONATHAN JR., born April 13, 1964, died September 3,
2000, at 2:00 PM after a sixteen month battle against Non-Hodgkin's
Lymphoma. Jonathan attended high schools in Austin and Baylor University
where he received a BA & MBA degree in finance. He married Kim Baker
of Longview, Texas on April 11, 1988. He then went to work for Coca-Cola
Enterprises in Dallas, Texas and later transferred to the International
Division of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, Georgia where he had the opportunity
to travel extensively in foreign markets, most recently in Rio de
Janeiro, Brazil where he was acting Director of Operations in Sao Paulo,
Brazil. He is survived by his wife, Kim, daughters: Danielle and
Mallory ages 5 and 2; his parents, Dr. Jonathan and Holly Decherd; his brothers,
David Decherd and Dr. Michael Decherd and wife, Caroline; grandmothers, Mrs.
George Decherd, III (Helen), Jean Riley and husband Rev. Philip Riley and
step-grandmother Mrs. Holland Howell. He is also survived by his uncle and aunt
Dr. George and Mary Decherd, and aunt, Jeanne Howell Mann, plus numerous
cousins, nieces and nephews. Services will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday, September
5, 2000 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church in Austin located at Steck and Mesa
Drive, the church in which he grew up and served as and acolyte. The Rector of
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, The Rev., Dr. Robert D. "Chip" Nix,
Rector Emeritus of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, The Rev. Charles
"Chuck" Huffman, and Rev. Jim Ozier of Trietsche Methodist Church of
Flower Mound will all officiate. Interment will be at Austin Memorial Park
followed by a reception at the church. Pall Bearers will be David Decherd ('84), Michael
Decherd, John Turner, Matt Anthony ('83), David King('82),
Todd Walker ('83), Brent Wilder ('83), Brent Brooks
('83), Scott Hayes, Paul Carrodus, Doug Herndon, Kevin McLaughlin
('82), Steve Anglin ('83), Rusty Oersch ('82), Bill
Meenan ('82), Scott Forbes ('82), Cal Staggers ('83), Jay
Matthews ('84), Dave Pair ('83), Deven Richter('84), Rob
Womack ('82), Kirk Tunnell and Steve Kolker. The family wishes
to thank the doctors and nursing staff at The Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at
Baylor Medical Center in Dallas, and Dr. Bali Netaji at Austin Diagnostic Clinic
for their wonderful support. The family appreciates the support of Jonathan's
new church family at Trietsche Methodist Church at Flower Mound, Texas.
Matt Anthony ('83), David King ('82),
Todd Walker ('83)
The following is a message that David King, Todd Walker and I wrote the
night before JD's funeral for Pastor Jim Ozier to use in his message,
which he did. May of you have asked for a copy of it, so here it
is. Blessing, Matt Anthony
THE TIE THAT BINDS
We all met JD as teenagers first attending Baylor University.
We pledged the Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep) fraternity. We were a
group of guys from big cities to small towns, brought together at a
fairly large Southwest Conference school.
JD quickly became the common thread that ran through us all. He
loved to organize "get togethers" and events that brought us
together. He soon became the social chairman of our fraternity, a
position which he held for the rest of his life.
We were brought together in a fraternity setting. Fraternity means
brotherhood. JD coined the phrase "bubbahood".
This term became our badge of honor throughout our fraternity. For
years now, we have all referred to one another as "bubba".
JD was the guy who flew in from out of state to attend the funerals of
our children, he was the guy who showed up on our doorstep with food and
comfort after the death of our loved ones, he was the guy that brought
us together to go "rolling" or go to Papa Rollo's or Mr.
Gattis for pizza. He was the one that would bring a group together
on a non-occasion to go bowling or putt-putt or whatever. He not
only facilitated our celebration of special occasions, but facilitated
our celebration of everyday life.
The reason we not only refer to JD as a friend, but instead as a
brother, is that even after college, the time of life that brought us
together, he continued to be the catalyst that kept us together.
Pastor, last night you asked the question of how we, as a group, would
continue to come together in the way that JD had so often facilitated
and taught us. We feel that we are now charged with this
obligation, and we hereby accept it and pledge, in honor of our brother,
to continue this tradition established by him, not only in honor of JD,
but in support of each other.
JD was blessed with a beautiful wife and two children. Not only is
Kim a wonderful and supportive wife and mother, but she is a true friend
to us all. Kim was truly the inspiration and backbone that gave JD
the ability to be a brother to us all. As much as brotherhood with
us meant to JD, it paled in comparison to the love he had for Kim and
his family. We are humbled by the courage and strength that Kim
has exhibited throughout this past year and continues to exhibit today.
We all try to attach some sort of meaning to JD's illness, his last year
of existence, the last weeks of his life and his untimely passing.
The three of us are all in strong agreement and are suspicious that many
in our
circle of friends agree that because of JD, his life and his passing, we
are all better friends, better husbands, better parents and most
importantly, better Christians and closer to the Lord than we have ever
been.
No matter what has transpired since our initial Introduction to JD,
whether it be college and graduate degrees, establishing our families
with beautiful wives and children, starting and achieving our career
paths, accumulating assets or whatever, we always come back to a group
of guys that are nothing more than just "bubbas" with JD as
our tie that binds. Today we say goodbye to our bubba. The
Bible tells us our time here on earth is but the "blink of an
eye", all we can say is goodbye for now Bubba, we'll see you in the
blink of an eye.
As brothers in Christ, Matt Anthony, David King and Todd Walker
Kevin "Cat" Stevenson ('80)
JD was truly a unique individual who had the God-given talent of making
me laugh whenever I saw him. His official pledgeship for me was
short-lived as I felt that he was a brother already. He certainly
served as a catalyst not only for brothers his age but us oldtimers as
well. JD was a true gentleman who loved his Lord, his family and his
friends. I guarantee you that the Lord is enjoying JD's "bubbahood"
as we speak.
Aaron Stephensen ('94)
I've met him
only once, but I remember him b/c we talked for about 2 hours. I
met him at the party after the golf tourney this past spring. He
was with two other guys his age (both sigeps); they we're talking about
how things never change, except for the fact they all married Pi Phis,
and now we can't get near them with a 10-foot pole, haaa! Anyway,
my prayers are with his family, and the brief moment that I had to share
with him left a memorable impression.
thx-
AStephensen
Mike Stapleton ('86)
I knew JD but not as well as others that were in
the fraternity while he was at Baylor. I pledged his brother,
Double D (David) Decherd. Brian McLoughlin called this past Monday
to inform me of the sad news. I want to say to Kim, Danielle and
Mallory that my thoughts, heart and prayers go out to them and rest of
JD's surrounding family.
Mike Stapleton
Fall '86
Memorial to Goldenheart Missy Caton
Missy Caton, Goldenheart in the mid/late 80s passed away after being involved in a car accident. Please keep her family in your thoughts. The following obituary from the Austin American Statesman.
Melissa Jane Caton, born June 8, 1965,
passed away on Saturday, September 9, 2000. Melissa was preceded in death by her
father, Hardy Caton. Melissa,
or Missy as she was known by many who knew her, was a loving daughter, sister
and friend whose outgoing personality and vitality for life will be
greatly missed. She loved spending time with her nieces and nephew. Missy was a
graduate of Anderson High School in Austin where she was actively involved in
Future Business Leaders of America and a member of the Trojan Belles drill team.
She was an active Member of the Youth Ministry at Hyde Park Baptist Church where
she was a member of the Chapel Choir and the Peacemaker ensemble group. After
high school, Missy attended Baylor University and earned a degree in Business
Administration and was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Missy had a
very sharp sense for business and enjoyed a successful career with State Farm
Insurance Co., where she held positions of increasing responsibility during her
tenure with the company. Missy was currently Operations Supervisor, CPCU, with
State Farm Insurance Co. She is survived by her mother, Sarah Caton, of
Horseshoe Bay, Texas; her brother, Greg Caton and wife Sherri of Tyler, Texas;
her brother, Jay Caton and wife Diane of Frisco, Texas. Missy is also survived
by her nieces, Anna and Sarah Caton of Tyler, Texas, and Lauren and Heather
Caton of Frisco, Texas; and by her nephew, Brooks Caton of Frisco, Texas. In
addition to her family, Missy is survived by her close, personal friend, Brad
Haines, of Horseshoe Bay. Missy gave her heart to Jesus at an early age, and we
know that she is at peace with Dad and our Lord and Savior. Memorial
contributions may be made to the Baylor Foundation.