This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: DECKER, INGRAM, LAJINESS, RAWLINSON, KELLY, FLATEQUAL, HALVERSON Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22436/mb.ashx Message Board Post: DECKER, Ross W. Ross W. Decker, age 54, born March 9, 1953 in Kalamazoo, Michigan, died March 6, 2008 in Goose Creek, SC, three days before his 55th birthday. Mr. Decker attended Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan, traveled greatly around the U.S., and settled in Virginia Beach, VA in 1978. He lived in VA Beach, VA for 18 years, Norfolk, VA for two years, and Mesa AZ for two years. He was currently living in the Charleston, SC area due to a transfer in his wife's employment with the Federal Government. He was employed as a Logistics Specialist by various warehouses in shipping and receiving and also as a government contractor in Norfolk, VA until disability forced early retirement in 1994. Surviving are his wife of 30 years Jaclee Kelly Decker and daughters; Crystal and Cheryl Ingram. Also surviving are his father; Wayne N. Decker, sisters; Lynn Lajiness (David) and Janene Rawlinson (Scott), brother; Jeff Decker (Jean), all of the Kalamazoo, Michigan area, mother-in-law; Florenc! e H. Kelly of Manassas, VA, sisters-in-law; Suzanne K. Flatequal of Manassas, VA and Linda K. Halverson of Mesa, AZ, brother-in-law; Bill Kelly (Mary) of VA Beach, VA; many nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews, and many loving neighbors and friends. His mother, Beverly J. Decker, father-in-law Jack L. Kelly, maternal and fraternal grandparents, aunts, and uncles predeceased him. Dogs Sally and Izzy, cats Jellybean, Louie, Grayboy, and Tux also survive him. He had a heart of gold, was a master gardener, excellent cook and handyman, remodeling four of the houses he and his wife lived in; was extremely patient and a very good man. After his disability, he developed an active interest in his yard, spending many hours outside, as well as in computers, puzzles, foster parenting for Berkeley County, Goose Creek, SC, and was formerly with the Saint James Civic Club and Crime Watch. He became the house hubby, yard master, and foster dad extraordinaire, given his physical ! limitations. How can a man's life ever be measured? It is in the legac y of love he leaves, his friends and family. We do not have to shine bright as the sun - only as a candle-the light is still there and it shines. Memorial Service Saturday March 8, 2008 at 4 PM at MCALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, 100 S. Goose Creek Blvd., Goose Creek. Family and friends are invited to share a meal following the service at Goose Creek United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 142 Redbank Rd., Goose Creek. Burial at Carolina Memorial Gardens will be private on Sunday, March 9. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Berkeley County SPCA or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society would be appreciated. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 3/8/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.