James Arthur DeCory, known to all as Jim, was born February 1st, 1961, in Greece, NY and passed away suddenly and tragically on June 24, 2019 in his home. He was 58 years old. He was the youngest of 7 children: Jack, Pat, Rick, Mary Kay, Tom, Mark, and then finally Jim. His mother was Rita, and his father Louis. As the baby of the family, Jim always received a little extra protection and favor from his mom and dad. Not just because he was the youngest, but because he was a sweet and easy-going child.
Growing up, Jim loved sports, whether playing, watching, or listening. From hockey in the driveway or basement (with a real puck), boxing with homemade gloves, or listening to Amerk games at bedtime, his passion for sports rivaled his siblings. One particular game Jim enjoyed was playing baseball with dice, a game he learned from his brother Rick. Whatever he did, playing, working, or just hanging out, Jim always found enjoyment.
As an adult, Jim was a sincere, simple, and sweet man. Whatever he set out to do, he worked his hardest to do it well. Though he never had a formal education past high-school, he successfully managed areas of several companies throughout his career, and was a beloved manager and mentor. Success in life and work so often comes down to hard work and likeability, and he had more than could be counted in both areas. He had a love for nature and mountains, so much so that, for almost 25 consecutive years, he and his family vacationed at Allegany State Park. He also had a passion for golf, despite not playing until he was already 50, and found ways steadily improved each year. His final round was on June 23, 2019 with his sons, where he won by a stroke.
While proud of his work, passions and hobbies, the most important things to Jim were his personal relationship with his Lord & Savior, Jesus, the love of his life, Monica, and his three boys, Jeffrey, Matthew and James. He was saved on August 17th, 1980 at First Bible Baptist Church. He lived out his salvation to the fullest the rest of his life; he was a Sunday school teacher for over 30 years, and most recently was a deacon and trustee of Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church. He met his wife in the summer of 1981, though they would not begin dating until 1986, when they both held jobs at the University of Rochester in the same department. They were married on December 5th, 1987, and had a wonderful 31 years together before his passing. His sons were born in 1990, 1992, and 1996, and look to carry on his legacy for the rest of their lives. They were privileged to have him as a dad, and know how to be a true friend, father, and husband because of watching him through the years. In 2018, he was also blessed with his first grandchild, Sullivan DeCory (son of his oldest Jeffrey and wife, Morgan) and could always be found playing on the floor with Sully, making him laugh. Though only a grandpa for 11 months, it was a title that brought him immeasurable joy, happiness, and pride.
James Arthur DeCory will be remembered by those whose lives he impacted, which are many. Although heartbroken by his passing, his wife, children and grandchild, family, and friends remember him fondly, and vow to honor his memory as they carry forward in their lives. In many ways, Jim’s life is the perfect encapsulation for what makes being human so special: he was an imperfect man, but always found the ability to show God’s love, grace and adoration in perfect ways to all those around him. He was a man who, in every room he was in, brought joy, laughter, happiness, friendship and most importantly, the feeling that, no matter the happenings of the world outside, all would be ok in the end. His legacy will continue to inspire in the generations to come. He will be forever missed, never forgotten, and memory continually cherished.
Thank you for your life, Jim.
Love, Your Family & Friends
A memorial service to commemorate Jim’s life will be held on July 10th, 2019 at Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church located at 48 S Estate Dr, Webster, NY 14580 at 11 A.M. A reception will follow directly after the service in the fellowship hall of the church.
You will be missed Brother Jim ! Prayers for the family !
Praying for all that are here and thankful for his relationship with Jesus in his name Mike and Carla Buscaglia
Our condolences to the DeCory Family! We were blessed to have known him. He was a very kind man. Lovingly, in Christ, the Caletz Family .
I am so very sorry Jeff, and family on your Dad’s passing. my thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
So very sorry for your loss of Jim. My prayers are with all of you.
So glad for his work as SS teacher to my two youngest. I’m glad they got to know him some, over the past several years.
Jim D will be missed by many,I will miss a good guy and friend. For years I had many laughs, and stories shared. Ups and downs, also his family was everything to him. And I will miss him.
My sympathy goes out to Jim DeCory’s family.
Jim DeCory will be truly missed!!!
Jim was a great guy and full of life. I will always remember his smile and laugh. My condolences to his family.
I am so sorry that your beloved was taken from you so suddenly. He has left a legacy of faithful discipleship to the Lord, and a life that modeled the best virtues of fatherhood to your sons. I wish I had words to heal grief. We cling to the hope of the resurrection, when our immortal souls will see clearly, and all our sickness and sorrow healed. Know that you, dear Monica, will remain in my prayers at this sad time.
My Deepest condolences to the Decory family.
Jim D was a Great Supervisor and friend.
Monica, I send my deepest condolences to you and your family at this difficult time. You are in my prayers.
What a beautiful obituary, perfectly encapsulated Jim’s spirit! I worked with Jim for a little while at Home Depot, he was a shining light. What I’ll carry with me from knowing him was his joy just at being alive. His smile was always genuine, and his kindness was sincere.
Jim was so proud of his wife for all her professional and home making accomplishments, and I know he was so proud of each of his sons, his mother and his brothers, all of whom he spoke about regularly.
I remember always joking around and laughing over something trivial and probably not all that funny, with him at work. But he always found the sun in the smallest things.
He was so happy to be redoing the garage at his home, we would always talk about how it was coming along, and how nice it was going to look. Laughing, if memory serves me correctly, about the cat-door Mrs. DeCory wanted him to include. He scoffed, but I could see in his eye that he was going to do it to make her happy. I was so fortunate to see Jim at the Home Depot just a few weeks ago. We talked about that garage and how the rain was holding up progress, but it was coming along. He gave me a big hug and we said that we’d see each other around soon…
To his family, your husband, father, brother and friend will not be forgotten, even by those who just knew him for a little while. A light as bright as Jim DeCory’s does not fade away. I’m so deeply saddened for you all, find strength in each other and in knowing what he would want for you.
My heart sank when I heard the news, Jim was always such a kind, compassionate and generous person. I had the pleasure of working with Jim for a few years, he was the first person I saw when I walked in and the last person I saw when I left, every single time I was greeted by a smile, words of encouragement, a joke or an offer to help with whatever he could help with. This is a beautiful obituary and while he was taken too soon shows what a wonderful life he made and how loved he was.