John DeCora, 48, of Bridgeport, Nebraska departed this life on Thursday, November 24, 2011, following a courageous battle with cancer, with his wife, daughter, and friends Jack and Marvin by his side.
Johnny was born to Tommy and Louise (Carlholm) DeCora on December 3, 1962, in Bridgeport, Nebraska. He attended Bridgeport schools through 10th grade. He graduated from Clark County High School in Las Vegas, Nevada in May 1980 and then attended Nebraska Western College.
Johnny found his passion for the game of golf at a young age and was a varsity member of both his high school and college golf teams. Second only to his family (and perhaps Nebraska football or spending time at the river with his dogs), John carried an insatiable passion for the game. His early career included working at golf courses in Nebraska, North Dakota, Colorado, and Ohio prior to accepting the position of superintendent of the Court House and Jail Rock Golf Course in 1991. Johnny took great pride in caring for the course where he first found his passion for the game. A healthy competitive spirit marked John’s career on the course, both personally and professionally.
Following his life-long dream to own his own business working outdoors, the DeCora’s purchased K-Lawn spraying business in the spring of 2007. With his many years of experience in the turf business he looked forward to serving Bridgeport and surrounding communities. The culmination of his experience and spirit to nurture and see things grow brought K-Lawn notable success in a matter of a few short years.
John and Mary Huether were married September 9, 1995 under the cottonwood tree on the 6th tee box at Court House and Jail Rock Golf Course. Their daughter, Jayden, was born March 22, 1998.
John’s most important job was being a great husband, father, friend, and teacher. He is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Jayden, mother and step-father Louise and Joe McKay of Kalispell MT, sister, Deb Schroeder of Des Moines IA, brother and sister-in-law Phil and Corinne DeCora of Broadwater, NE, and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Tommy.
He was a member of the Court House & Jail Rock Golf Course board, Ducks Unlimited, and the First Presbyterian Church.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Dan Bohannon officiating. In lieu of flowers, the DeCora family requests that memorials may be made to either the Festival of Hope or Prairie Haven Hospice.