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Paul Francis DeCoster died at home surrounded by family on July 13, following a challenging battle with cancer. He was 76.
A prayer vigil will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 19, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Grass Valley. A funeral Mass follows at 11 a.m.
He was born April 5, 1934, in Victor, Iowa, to Louis and Ruth (DeShepper) DeCoster. Mr. DeCoster was the fourth of six children. After graduating high school, he proudly served four years in the U.S. Navy. He initially met his wife Joan during high school, and they began dating when they were later reintroduced through mutual friends in Long Beach, Calif. They were married on March 1, 1955.
Mr. DeCoster was an aerospace engineer for more than 30 years, working for TRW in Southern California, Colorado and Australia. After retiring, he moved with his wife to Penn Valley in 1994 and realized his dream of living on a golf course.
Never one to sit idly for long, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling and watching baseball. He also built model airplanes and practiced wood carving. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, who fondly remember him teaching them to golf and fish; and the highlight of every visit was a ride with Grandpa on his golf cart.
He was a quiet and gentle man and will be greatly missed by his family, who love and respect him tremendously.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years Joan (Burmeister); daughter Debra (Frank) Daugherty; sons Kevin (Tracey) DeCoster, Philip (Kathleen) DeCoster and Thomas (Veronica) DeCoster; and grandchildren Matthew (Melissa), Ryan, Mark, Tristan, Kiley, Emily, Cameron, Kelsey and Ainslea.
Mr. DeCoster's family is extremely grateful for the care and support provided by hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Foothills.
A prayer vigil will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, July 19, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Grass Valley. A funeral Mass follows at 11 a.m.
He was born April 5, 1934, in Victor, Iowa, to Louis and Ruth (DeShepper) DeCoster. Mr. DeCoster was the fourth of six children. After graduating high school, he proudly served four years in the U.S. Navy. He initially met his wife Joan during high school, and they began dating when they were later reintroduced through mutual friends in Long Beach, Calif. They were married on March 1, 1955.
Mr. DeCoster was an aerospace engineer for more than 30 years, working for TRW in Southern California, Colorado and Australia. After retiring, he moved with his wife to Penn Valley in 1994 and realized his dream of living on a golf course.
Never one to sit idly for long, he enjoyed golfing, fishing, traveling and watching baseball. He also built model airplanes and practiced wood carving. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, who fondly remember him teaching them to golf and fish; and the highlight of every visit was a ride with Grandpa on his golf cart.
He was a quiet and gentle man and will be greatly missed by his family, who love and respect him tremendously.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years Joan (Burmeister); daughter Debra (Frank) Daugherty; sons Kevin (Tracey) DeCoster, Philip (Kathleen) DeCoster and Thomas (Veronica) DeCoster; and grandchildren Matthew (Melissa), Ryan, Mark, Tristan, Kiley, Emily, Cameron, Kelsey and Ainslea.
Mr. DeCoster's family is extremely grateful for the care and support provided by hospice. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Foothills.
