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Kirtland Decherd Obituary
He was born in Meriden, on April 10, 1935 to Kirtland Wilcox Decherd and Elmo Ashton.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Barbara Marie Decherd; son, Christopher Service Decherd; daughters, Nancine Marie Decherd, Ellen Wilcox (Steven) Ballerene, and Anita Ashton Decherd; sister, Ann (David) Thornton; and brother-in-law, Joseph (Juliane) Kowalczyk; a niece; and three nephews.
Kirt lived a life of public service and was active at Our Lady of the Assumption Church as a member of the choir, a lector and volunteer of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. He was a Fire Inspector for Gwinnett County Fire Department and a long time active member of the Metropolitan Fire Association. He was involved for years in Murphey Candler Park girls' softball, was dubbed voice of the Huntley Hills Club swim team and volunteered at Northside Hospital. He served in the U.S. Navy, graduated from the University of Vermont. He was a collector of toy fire engines, fire-fighting books, baseball cards, beer cans, postage stamps and most importantly of friends, wherever his path led.
A Mass of the Resurrection will be a held at Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church Friday, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m., with family visitation at the Church at 10 a.m. The family will have a private interment at a later date at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, Ga. Please sign online guestbook at www.fischerfuneralcare.com. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes memorial contributions be made to Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Georgia www.svdpatl.org/ or the Leukemia and Lymphona Society www.lls.org. Arrangements by Fischer Funeral Care, Atlanta, (678) 514-1000.
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Memories and Condolences
for Kirtland Decherd
December 2, 2013
Mr. Decherd seemed like a very kind man that will be missed by many. I am very sorry to hear of your loss. May the God of all comfort, comfort your heart, and I hope the kind words and prayers help you and your family get through this rough period of time.
November 27, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the family.
Bruce Douglas
November 26, 2013
My man Kirt! He will be missed. I worked with him for 20 years in the Gwinnett Fire Marshal's Office. He was a true gentleman and funny character. My deepest sympathy to the family.
Thomas Robley Burnett
November 24, 2013
My sympathies to Kirt's family for his loss. I enjoyed being a part of his swim-team family and his many efforts in making the team enjoyable to everyone!
lan & barb, xmas 2007 in NC
Susan Thornton
November 24, 2013
Rachel Brown
November 23, 2013
Sorry for your loss Mr. Decherd was a awesome person he will be greatly missed.
November 23, 2013
I am so sorry for your great loss. May the God of all comfort sustain you during this most difficult time. ( Isa. 61:1,2). Again, my deepest sympathies .
~MRB
November 23, 2013
The Decherd family have my deepest condolences. God will give the family comfort and strength during this time of grief and in the days ahead.
Chris and Pete Cabrelli
November 22, 2013
Kirt was a true gentleman,a great humanitarian and friend to both Pete and myself.There are those special people who touch your life, their spirit remains and that is Kirt.
Mary Coffey
November 22, 2013
My prayers and sympathy to Barbara and family. Kirt was generous and cheerful member of OLA.. He will be missed.
ed/
John Lewis
November 22, 2013
Kirk was a good friend and co-worker. I was saddened to hear of his passing. He was a good man and will be missed.
Mark Wathen
November 22, 2013
Huntly Hills will not be the same withour Mr. Decherd. I can hear his voice now announcing the next event at a swim meet and then making sure everyone knew there were "Hamburgs and Hotdogs" at the concession stand. Know that my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
keelin moran
November 22, 2013
Nancy and family,
I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. I've read many of the beautiful thoughts and memories here, but mine is a little off colored, but I think it says a lot about him. He opened his collected beer cans from the bottom. He didn't wrap them up in plastic, or put them in a box...full and preserved. He opened them and enjoyed them...saving the can for the memory, but didn't skip out on the experience. It's a good way to live. Much love to you!
L Horton
November 22, 2013
Please find comfort in Gods' inspired word the Bible during your time of grief and sorrow (2 Timothy 3:16). With deepest sympathy to you, family and friends
Pat and Kathy Dubbs
November 22, 2013
Barb and family: we so appreciate the time we had together in Fairbanks. Only wish it could have been longer. We are so glad we got to know Kirt. Our thoughts are with you.
Dana Witherspoon
November 21, 2013
I am so so sorry to hear of Kirt's passing. He lit up the neighborhood in his fancy shoes and his wonderful smile. Much sympathy to all the family!
Eddie Daves
November 21, 2013
It was always a treat to see Kirt walk in one of the Gwinnett fire stations. He never met a stranger...just another friend he didn't yet know. He was one of a kind.
Eg
November 21, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Pier Keegan
November 21, 2013
What a blessing Kirt was to all of us in "The Group." He will live on in our hearts. I'm certain that he is already leading the angels in a rousing song. If you want to remember Kirt, reach out to someone in need.
Carolyn Barnes
November 21, 2013
Our deepest sympathy.The Barnes Family.
Doan & Marti Szumnarski
November 21, 2013
Barbara and family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. My Mom really enjoyed it when you and Kirt visited her at St. Andrew. I spoke with her today and she asked that I pass along her condolences. We're all sorry to hear of your loss.
Don and Marti Szumnarski
November 21, 2013
Dearest Aunt Barbara and the Decherd family,
We were so saddened to hear of your great loss! What a blessed man is Kirt to have been surrounded by such a loving family during his time of need! You are all in our thoughts, prayers, and hearts as you make your way to a place of peaceful, loving memories (and exactly where he would want you all to be)!
--Cheryl and John Zdebski and family
Rev. 21:3, 4 ~ Kim
November 21, 2013
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Heath & Rhodes Waller
November 21, 2013
We are so sorry for your loss.
G. Freeman
November 21, 2013
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
G. Johnson
November 21, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Barbara Mays Burns
November 20, 2013
Although it's been over 20 years since I participated in a swim meet at Huntley Hills, I can still very clearly hear his voice announcing "the big boys" getting ready for a relay. May the Lord lift you all up at this time, and continue to bless you all at this time.
Wanda Couch
November 20, 2013
I was lucky enough to work escort with Kirt at Northside Hospital. He just would make me smile - whether it was something he said or that wonderful laugh of his. I , like so many others am sure going to miss him.
Tracy Patel Marble
November 20, 2013
I'm so very sorry to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. He will never be forgotten. May he rest in peace.
Adam Segal
November 20, 2013
Mr. Decherd was one of the kindest men I knew and I was saddened to hear the news. Heaven just gained a terrific angel, but my heart goes out to the rest of the family. My deepest sympathies.
Nancy Lee
November 20, 2013
Nancine & Anita, your friends in San Diego are thinking of you at this time. We know the loss is immense and are so sorry. Our hearts are with you.
Nancy & Brian
P Sharpe ( Isaiah 12:2 )
November 20, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
November 20, 2013
Dear Decherd Family
We are sorry for your great loss. Over the years we have only known of the Decherd's from our son Ken who went to Marist with Chris. Ken would always speak of your family with great fondness and gratefulness for having known you all. We are so happy that Chris and Ken have remained good friends. They have shared many great memories.
Sincerely, Marie and Paul Gale
Mary Carol Geddis
November 20, 2013
Dear Barbara, Chris, Nancy, Ellen and Anita,
We are sorry to learn of Kirt's death. We are happy we spent so many years as part of the "Huntley Hills family." We loved raising our Julianne and Janet there. Kirt was one of the best guys we knew. Love, Mary Carol and Duke Geddis
November 20, 2013
Kirt brightened many days at Northside Hospital. We will miss him in Volunteer/Auxiliary services.
Gail Neeld
Enjoying Maine lobster with Hackett/Murrays, July 2012
Sue Thornton
November 20, 2013
Mary Anne & Charlie Grady
November 20, 2013
Barbara and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you now in your time of grief. May your closeness and all your memories now bring you comfort. We will be having a special series of masses said by the Franciscans for Kirt.
November 20, 2013
Dearest Barbara and family; We are so sorry for your loss. Know that you are in the thoughts and prayers of your many friends at Curves Oglethorpe.
John &Millie Young
November 20, 2013
Dear Barbara and Family:
So sorry to hear of Kirt`s passing. He had so many friends in Meriden, we will always remember the good times, Andy`s, Patsy`s, the great parties on Curtis Street,and just Kirt`s laugh, friendly smile and his great personality.
Our deepest sympathy to all, may Kirt`s soul rest in God`s eternal peace.
Sincerely,
John and Millie Young
Cromwell, Ct
Jeffrey Batzel
November 20, 2013
Barbara and family: May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Kirt was a great man and a good friend in service to many, including us comrades within the Metropolitan Fire Association. Please accept my deepest and sincerest heartfelt sympathies. May God bless you all always.
November 20, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the Decherd family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead...(Psalm 62:8).
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