Obituary – Mike Dekle
Sunday, March 6, 2022
Mike Dekle, 77, of Athens, Georgia & Nashville, Tennessee passed away surrounded by loving family at his home in Athens on February 24, 2022.
Born in Panama City, FL he was the son of the late James R. and Dr. Ocie Dekle.
Mike was a lifelong resident of Athens and maintained a residence in Nashville for 37 years. He was a veteran who served as a U.S. Army 1st Lt. with B728th Military Police Battalion. He was the Company Commander and Provost Marshall while serving at Camp Humphreys, South Korea. Mike was a 1962 graduate of Athens High School and a 1966 graduate of the University of Georgia with a degree in Sociology. For over 48 years he owned and operated Mike Dekle State Farm Insurance Agency, Inc. Mike was a longtime member of First Baptist Church Athens. He was a member of Athens Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Scholar; a member of Delta Sigma Pi; and a lifetime Professional Member of Nashville Songwriters Association International. Mike penned hits over the span of four decades.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Crystie Vause Dekle; son, Shane Dekle and wife, Natasha; daughter, Jodi Dekle Kerr and husband, Dana; brother, Mack Dekle; sister, Beth Dekle Tolley and husband, Edward; granddaughters, Abbegail Dekle, Clara Dekle, Andi Kerr and Alli Kerr; grandson, Ethan Dekle; brother-in-law, Carl Vause (Kathy) and Tom Stewart (Charlene) and sister-in-law; Sarah Vause Knuth; an uncle and several nieces and nephews; and his devoted, loving dog, Scarlett.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 19, 2022, at 11 A.M. at First Baptist Church Athens with a visitation/reception to follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, American Diabetes Association, First Baptist Church Athens Building Fund or a charity of choice.
More Stories |
-
AMARILLO, TEXAS — Plaintiffs Tom Gould, Ann Mills, and the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Association have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in federal court to halt the enforcement of three key rules by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that they argue violate federal law and due process protections.
Read More
-
Patterns Announced for the 2025 International.
Read More
-
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration has selected Chris Bobo, Ross Campbell, Robert Cortner, Brent Grider and David Sisk to judge the 87th Annual Celebration, to be held Aug. 20–30, 2025.
Read More
-
5 x Reserve World Champion, Mr. Reach, was peacefully laid to rest on July 8, 2025, at 29 years old. Born on April 26, 1996, he was by Mr. Coppertop and out of Casey’s Crystal.
Read More
-
Each year the Walking Horse Trainers’ Auxiliary awards scholarships to eligible candidates involved with Tennessee Walking Horses who are furthering his/her education. Each application is professionally evaluated and scored by several qualified professional people.
Read More
-
Read More
-
SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. — After decades of loyal service and fundraising efforts, the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5019 in Shelbyville has announced it will no longer operate its food booth during the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration, beginning in 2025.
Read More
-
On June 30, 2025, the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Association (“Association”), along with horse owners Tom Gould and Ann Mills, sued the U.S. Department of Agriculture (“USDA” or “Agency”) challenging multiple USDA decisions disqualifying horses in past shows and challenging the USDA rules that were applied to disqualify those horses.
Read More
-
Todd Grider, 54, of Columbia, Kentucky, died Monday, June 30, 2025 at 11:54 A.M. at TJ Health/ Columbia Emergency Room.
Read More
-
Ms. Neva La Fleur will mark the cards for the very first Equiskill Challenge Cup Equitation Championship class.The International Championship Show will host the class on July 19, 2025, at Miller Coliseum in Murfreesboro, TN.
Read More
|