Jimmy G. DePoy

Jimmy George DePoy was born July 8, 1943, in Downs, KS, to Harry and Josephine (Verhage) DePoy, the fifth of seven children. He passed away August 14, 2023, in Altamonte Springs, FL, surrounded by his loving family.

He graduated as the Salutatorian of Downs High School Class of 1961, having excelled inacademics and athletics, particularly math, basketball, and track and field. He completed a year at Fort Hays State University, prior to his appointment to the US Naval Academy by KS Senator Robert Dole. He graduated from the US Naval Academy, with an Electrical Engineering degree, in June 1966, and was assigned to the US Naval Air Station, in Pensacola, FL. He married his hometown sweetheart, Sandra Kay Murrow, on Dec. 26, 1966, in Downs, KS.

During his Navy career, he became a Naval Aviator and Navigator. He flew multiple types of aircraft across the globe, including a trip over the North Pole. He was awarded the Air Medal for his Vietnam service. His duty stations took the family all over the United States and he left the Navy in 1976, settling in Cary, NC, and began a 30-year career as a telecommunication engineer. His son Brian was born after his return from Vietnam; Daughter Melissa while in Naval Post-Graduate school in California; and daughter Elizabeth while working for ITT/Alcatel in NC.

Jim had wide and varied interests: ham radio, computers, TV, astronomy, and genealogy, particularly the DePoy and Verhage/Poppen families. He participated in coaching his children’s basketball, baseball and football teams, Boy Scouts, and helping with Girl Scouts. Devoted to serving our country and community, he was a proud patriotic veteran, and ran for Mayor of Cary, NC. He retired to become a fulltime grandfather in 2006, traveling frequently to VA and FL. In 2020, Jim & Sandra became “snowbirds”, moving to Altamonte Springs, FL, to be near daughter Melissa. In 2021, he was diagnosed with cancer, which took his life.

He is survived by his devoted wife Sandra, children: Brian DePoy (Cindy), Melissa Young and Elizabeth DePoy, and grandchildren: David Young, Addison, Hudson and Bryson DePoy. He is deeply missed by his siblings: Julian DePoy (Cecelia), Helen Luckey, Perry DePoy (Ardis), Joyce Duskie, Marilyn Straley (John), and Donna Storie (Martin), and Sandra’s siblings: Joyce Davies (Greg), Genice Fouts (Larry), Philip Murrow (Shelly), and many nieces and nephews. He is fondly remembered for his love and devotion to family, sharp wit and clever poetry.

Celebration of life services will be at Downs Methodist Church, 1000 Morgan Ave, Downs, KS at 10 a.m., Friday, August 25 th. Interment will follow at Prairie Grove Cemetery in Cawker City, KS. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Cary American Legion Post 67, In care of Schoen Funeral Home and Monuments, 302 N. Hersey Ave. Beloit, KS 67420.