John Mike Duecy

Duecy, John Mike John Mike Duecy, 89, died Saturday, March 26, 2005, at a local nursing home. Graveside services will be at 2:00 PM, Wednesday March 30 at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 PM, Tuesday March 29 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Chapel. Mike was born May 18, 1915, to Charles and Florence McBride Duecy in Waco, the fifth of five children. He attended Waco schools and graduated from Waco High School. After high school he attended Baylor University on a baseball scholarship and was a left-handed pitcher and worked part time at Cameron Mills. He was in talks with the Baltimore Orioles and the St. Louis Cardinals at the time he was drafted for WWII. Although he missed the opportunity to play professional ball because of the war, he continued to love the sport of baseball throughout his life. After college he went to work for the St. Louis-Southwestern Railroad as a fireman. He loved his job with the railroad and spent 39 years there retiring as an Engineer. On January 31, 1942 he married the love of his life, Tennie Aline Gunter in Waco, Texas. Shortly after their marriage they were separated for four years by WWII. Mike served in the Army with the 330th Combat Engineers in Burma and India. He left the Army in 1945 with the rank of sergeant and returned to Waco where he resumed his job with the railroad. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Nanette Kilborn, Florence Rudd, and Mercedes Duecy; and brother, Charles Duecy. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Tennie Aline Duecy of Waco; a daughter, Sheila Duecy Sargent and husband Gordon of Austin; a son, Patrick J. Duecy and wife Susan of Woodway; two grandsons, Michael B. Duecy and fiancé, Leigh Nevans of Austin, Colin P. Duecy of San Marcos and nephew Michael Rudd and wife Karen of Destrehan, La. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey