Harry B. Dekay Jr.

DEKAY Harry B. Dekay Jr. passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 26, 2014 at the age of 79 years. Beloved husband of Ling Dekay. Devoted father of Harry B. Dekay III. Son of the late Dolores Frayle Dekay and Harry B. Dekay Sr. Brother of the late Beverly Smith. Survived by a niece Beverly Fleming (Troy) and a nephew Chad Macdonald (Bonnie). Harry was a graduate of LSU with a B.S. and a Master of Education and attended the US Army Command and General Staff College. He was a high school principal for over 50 years. He became an Eagle Scout at the age of 15. At 16 he was a volunteer coach over the Hadicol Senators baseball team, which won the New Orleans Recreation Department's 16 year-old league championship. He was Assistant Program Director at BSA, Camp Salmen at 17, graduated from LSU at 20. He received the Boy Scout Master's Key and was a National Rifle Association Instructor. He taught at Orleans Parish Public Schools where he wrote the course of studies for the junior high speech program. He was Favorite Teacher of SE Louisiana when teaching at Sophie B. Wright. He started and was Principal of Prytania Private School at age 26 and later became Principal of Heritage Academy. He proudly served in the military and was lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps and Commission Captain in the 377th TAACOM, U.S. Army Reserve. He was an usher at St. Luke's United Methodist Church in New Orleans. Harry was a gentleman. He never met a stranger. He was kind, loving, compassionate, forgiving, and faithful to God and never hesitated to help those in need. He loved his family and enjoyed traveling and watching LSU games. A relentless worker and an eternal optimist, he took great pride in what he'd accomplished and always believed in miracles. The family would like to sincerely thank Angelo Matrana and Ana Palacios for their wonderful care and support of Harry during his final days. The family would also like to give a very special Thank You to the Outpatient Oncology Department at East Jefferson Hospital, Canon Hospice, and Dr. Burroff & her staff and associates for their excellent medical care. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Visitation Services at LAKE LAWN METAIRIE FUNERAL HOME, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, La. 70124, on Sunday evening, March 2, 2014, 5:00 PM until 9:00 PM and Monday morning 9:00 AM until Funeral Service time at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow at All Saints Mausoleum in Metairie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. You may also donate blood in Harry's name. Please visit and sign the family guestbook at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.