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Harold DeCou Obituary
Peoria - Harold H. DeCou, 76, of Peoria died at 7:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, at his residence.
He was born Oct. 7, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pa., to Harold H. and Kathrine Holbrook DeCou. He married Rose N. Layman on June 25, 1955, in Brookfield, Ill. She survives.
Also surviving are his four sons, Harold H. (Nancy) DeCou III of Apple Valley, Calif., Mark T. DeCou of Peoria, Jonathan (Shari) DeCou of Muskegon, Mich., and Perry A. (Suiann) DeCou of Ramona, Calif.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
He attended Temple University in Philadelphia.
He was a concert artist (piano and organ), composer, arranger and orchestrator for 58 years.
He served as church organist at Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria from 1988 to 2001. He was a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Peoria. He is also an Honorary Fellow of Shenandoah Society Award.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on Kickapoo Creek Road in Peoria. The Rev. Mark Henninger will officiate. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. prior to services at the church. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery in Peoria.
The Wilton Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Redeemer Presbyterian Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Harold DeCou
R. N. Waller M.Mus.
February 16, 2022
Past retirement age, I'm just getting to know Mr. DeCou's organ arrangements for the first time and am most grateful for his talents.
Richard Wilson
January 25, 2009
In May 2001 I had the privilege of working with Mr. DeCou in a Dedication Concert for our new piano & organ at the North Park Baptist Church in Evansville, IN. I have never worked with a more competent musician or a finer gentleman. Fortunately, Harold has left a legacy of printed music and recordings for all of us to enjoy and to emulate. Harold reminds you each time you hear his music to always “Count Your Blessings.”
Rose—it was a joy for all of us to get to know you and Harold. May the peace of God be with you and your family.
Richard D. Wilson
(Former) Minister of Music
North Park Baptist Church
Evansville, IN
Ken Kuerth
January 8, 2009
Dear DeCou Family:
I only found out of Mr DeCou's passing 2 days ago when I went to the Allen Organ website to buy myself some of the recordings for my own "happy birthday" present. Needless to say, out of respect for your loss and having lost my own mother when I was 36,I know of the pain, sorrow and desperation to have them for just one more thing you wish you could say. But I have learned that pouring it ALL out to our wonderful Lord and Savior eases the pain exponentially. I met Mr DeCou many years ago when he and Mrs, were in Northern Lower Michigan with Gordon Sears at a Songfest. I took a number of my DeCou arrangement books so he could sign them and he so very graciously and humbly signed each and every one of them. Not only was I impressed with his spectacular musicianship in all aspects but with his kind, gentle, humble spirit.
Karen & Roger Studer
January 6, 2009
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! May God keep the good memories in your hearts until you meet again! What a blessing and legacy his music was and will be!
Mike and Marlene Keur
January 6, 2009
We did not know Harold except through his music. He will be greatly missed in Christian music circles, but he has left a tremendous legacy--not only with his music but through his family that remains behind.
My deepest sympathy to Mrs. DeCou, the four sons, spouses, and grandchildren. May God comfort you in this time and give you a sense of great hope for that reunion to come.
Lynn Wheaton
January 3, 2009
I just learned of Harold's passing through searching the internet for any new CD's and read about his recent illness. Having worked with Harold at Zondervan in the mid 70's and then to have him as a friend and acquaintance, I am saddend by his 'homegoing' but comforted in knowing he is "Finally Home" with his Lord and Savior whom he loved and served so faithfully all these years. What a glorious day it is for him! May God's grace by everything to you during these days! He will be truly missed.
Lynn Wheaton, Shellpoint Retirement Community, Ft. Myers, Florida.
Jean Van Horn Verwys
January 2, 2009
Dear Mrs DeCou,
Just this past Saturday I mentioned to my aunt that I was looking for your address to send a card thanking you and your husband for your kindness and friendship to my parents. She told me your dear husband was so ill and near death. Little did we know that was the very night he passed into eternity. I have such mixed emotions of sympathy and sadness along with the absolute joy of knowing he is with his LORD!!
Harold was truly one of my dad's closest friends and I can only imagine their reunion in Heaven. After my dad died we found letter after letter they had exchanged through the years, neatly labeled with the date each had responded. They truly shared one of God's greatest earthly gifts; the gift of friendship. I remember many "Harold" stories my dad would tell and laugh and laugh.
I miss those gentle stories and voices now, but have the blessed hope that we will see them again along with our wonderful Lord.
My prayers will be with you and your family in the days to come.
Jean Van Horn Verwys
Jan Christianson
January 2, 2009
Mrs. DeCou and family,
Many folks are deeply moved by your loss! I'll never forget your "gentle giant" saying, "People are more important than projects". We were with him and Gordon Sears in VA; I was in awe that the Lord had allowed me/us the privilege to be with such godly and talented men, but that phrase has influenced me greatly since that night. We will continue to pray for strength and wisdom in the weeks and months to come. His Homegoing is certainly our loss but Heaven's gain!!
Lovingly and prayerfully,
Glenn & Jan Christianson
January 2, 2009
Harold, you were always an inspiration to us, not only musically, but with your humble spirit and encouraging words. You truly modeled the Savior of Whom you played. No doubt you are having sweet fellowship with others who have gone before you!
Mark DeCou
December 30, 2008
Thank you all for your kind expressions of love for my dad and for all of us (my mother and brothers). We are truly touched and helped by your words. We rejoice in Dad's rest and, as cousin Steve said, that he now enjoys music too pure (and wonderful) for earthly ears. We also look forward to the reunion that awaits us! God bless you all!
Ken Litton
December 30, 2008
Our condolences to the family and friends of Harold DeCou. We have used many of his published works through the years in our work in SBC churches and overseas. Our Celebration 55+ Choir still sings his arrangement of Heaven Came Down.
Love in Christ,
Parkway Baptist Church, St. Louis
Bob Walters
December 30, 2008
As a Moody and Wheaton student I was privileged to play with Harold in Allentown PA at summer camp meetings, and earlier in NJ at tent meetings with Hawthorne Gospel Church. Harold influenced me to study music, and recently encouraged me by letters to create much church instrumental music. I owe Harold a lot. I'm glad he can now serve God permanently, as he did so well while he was with us. We are all fortunate to have known and been blessed by Harold Decou's life.
Fred Laugherty
December 29, 2008
I was so blest to have briefly known Harold. I am a Worship Pastor at a church in Peoria and we were blessed to have such an incredible church musician in our city.
Fred Laugherty
Bethany Baptist Church
Peoria, Illinois
Craig Smith
December 29, 2008
I came to know Harold in the late 70's, when I represented Allen church organs in Central Illinois for Byerly Music. Harold recorded an album of inspirational sacred music for Allen that we distributed for many years to church organ prospects. We later became friends during his tenure at Grace Presbyterian and the many workshops and concerts he presented to church musicians across the country, even after my family moved to Kansas City in 1984. The world has lost a wonderful and talented Christian servant and musician, but his music will resound in Heaven for eternity!
Doug and Brenda Keasal
December 29, 2008
I remember Harold DeCou from my years in Grand Rapids at the Grand Rapids School of the Bible and Music and my time attending Calvary Church. I have many of his piano arrangement books and know that his contribution to church music was a blessing to countless people.
Paul Ferrin
December 29, 2008
I have enjoyed the beautiful Artistry of Harold for many years. He has inspired thousands of people.
Bill Rayborn
December 29, 2008
The church music world has lost one of its finest but Heaven has gained a musical giant.
Bill Rayborn, Publisher iLevite Magazine for church worship leaders.
www.iLevite.com
GARY SNYDER
December 29, 2008
I MET HAROLD WHEN HE BROUGHT HIS CAR IN FOR REPAIRS AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IT WAS AN HONOR TO HAVE MET HIM WE WENT TO LUNCH SEVERAL TIMES AND TALKED ABOUT GOD AND THE CANCER WE WERE BOTH FIGHTING HE WILL BE MISSED
Brenda Fox
December 29, 2008
Mark, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Truly the angels are rejoicing as your Dad makes his way into the Lord's presence. Your Dad must have been a good influence in your life as it is so easily seen in your Christian testimony. When my Dad passed away, someone said to me, "He wouldn't come back to this earth even if he could!" I truly believe that and it made his homegoing easier for me! May God comfort you and your family as only He can!
Steve Leibrand
December 28, 2008
Dear Aunt Rose,
We were saddened to hear of Uncle Harold’s passing. Our prayers and sympathy go out to you and your family (Harold, Mark, Jonathan, and Perry).
When I was growing up, my mom (Mary Lou) always had Uncle Harold’s records playing. She would even play his pieces on her piano (the piano that he got for her!). While both of them were truly gifted musicians, he was also a very gifted composer. I think that exposure to Uncle Harold’s music must have influenced me to be a church musician later in my life. For his influence and example I will be forever thankful.
I remember wondering why Uncle Harold didn’t pursue a career in secular music. He certainly had the talent to make a lot of money. It wasn’t until I started playing music in church that I realized why he didn’t consider secular music. No amount of money in the world could replicate the feeling that you get when you know that your music has helped others on their faith journey. Uncle Harold’s music was truly inspirational, and guided many along the path to salvation.
The Lord has taken one of His most faithful servants from us. I like to think that Uncle Harold has found the most pure sound, a sound so pure that it cannot be heard on earth. He is composing, arranging, and performing glorious music with a choir of heavenly angels.
Love,
Steve & Cecilia Leibrand
Ron Boud
December 28, 2008
Harold was a mentor to me when I was just a teenager in New Jersey while we collaborated in the music of evangelism. I'm so grateful for his gifts and his sharing.
December 28, 2008
Aunt Rose, Mark, Harold, Jonathan and Perry - I'm saddened to get this news, but grateful that God took Uncle Harold home to spare him more suffering. Our prayers and love are with you all. Bobby, Lisa, Kate, and Carrie
Chris Harwood
December 27, 2008
I never had the pleasure of meeting Harold, but have certainly played some of his creations. I pray for God's rich comfort for his wife and sons, and that God's joy would sustain you now and always.
Eric Strattan
December 27, 2008
We sorrow, but with a hope that is rooted in the saving, sustaining grace of Christ. Standing with you in prayer and support!
JERRY LADD
December 27, 2008
SO SORRY IN HEARING OF HAROLD'S JOINNING HIS LORD. I RESPECTED HIS MAGNIFICANT CHARACTER AND TALENT. HIS RECITAL IS GOING ON NOW!!!
JERRY LADD (NOW IN FLORIDA).
Judy Sova
December 27, 2008
I don't know that I could've been a church organist without my Harold DeCou books. His arrangements "fit me" so well, and those well-worn books got me through 36 years of playing. For the organist, Harold DeCou was a real treasure, and he will be missed greatly
Phil Fox
December 27, 2008
Having been involved in Christian music much of my life I am very familiar with Bro. DeCou's work. His contribution to Christian Music is and has been greatly appreciated. His talent will be missed.
Our prayers go out to his family at this time as Heaven welcomes home a great Christian musician.
Bill and Gloria Rudd
December 27, 2008
You are in our love and prayers. We thank God for the eternal and global impact of Harold's creative artistry surrendered to the service of the King.
Roy Endres
December 27, 2008
Sorry to hear Of Harold's passing. But joyful to know that he is in the presence of the Lord!
He will always have a special place in our hearts for his arrangement of the Wedding March from the Sound of Music, that we used for Courtney's wedding!
God's blessings to Rose in her bereavment.
Carol & Roy Endres
Lloyd Passage
December 27, 2008
I shall miss Harold and the times he came to Calvary Baptist to play for me. Harold is at home now playing for the Lord.
I shall be praying for Rose and the children, that the Lord will get them through this trying time.
Pastor Bill Pierce, Berea Baptist Church
December 27, 2008
The churches I have pastored and attended over the years in the Peoria area, Greenville, South Carolina area and Lincoln, Nebraska have all used Harold's music.
We rejoice that he is with our Lord Jesus, but he will be sorely missed.
May God's strength be evidenced in your loss.
December 27, 2008
Harold was a wonderful mentor to me when we were both on staff at Grace Pres. I was in awe of his talent for not only playing, but arranging as well.
Shawn Degenhart
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