David Paul DeCou

David Paul DeCou of Paw Paw, Michigan, devout husband, father, educator, and coach, passed away peacefully at his home on July 2, 2024. Born on December 29, 1947 to Glen and Leota DeCou in Saginaw, Michigan, David grew up in Vassar, Michigan. He graduated as The Valedictorian of Vassar High School Class of 1966. After high school, David attended Albion College, earning a Bachelor’s of Arts in History and English Education in 1970. At Albion, David was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity and was an athlete on the Basketball and Track and Field teams. After graduating, David enlisted in the United States Coast Guard, serving honorably at Wilmette Harbor in Illinois. During his time in the service, David met his wife, Charlene.

After being honorably discharged from the United States Coast Guard, David and Charlene moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan before settling in Paw Paw in 1976. David began his teaching career at Marcellus Community Schools. During this time, David earned a Master’s Degree in Social Studies Education from Western Michigan University. David continued his service to Marcellus Community Schools and the Marcellus community for the next 46 years. At the time of David’s retirement in 2020, he was teaching the fourth generation of students at Marcellus under his tenure. David served as a teacher, coach, and athletic director during his tenure at Marcellus. In special commemoration, the Marcellus High School track was dedicated to David during his induction into the Marcellus Athletic Hall of Fame in 2023. David was also inducted into the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024.

A devout and loving husband to Charlene for 50 years, David had two children, Anne and Jonathan. David enjoyed spending time with his family, spending the summers traveling to different beaches and sand dunes, canoeing, fishing, and road trips to see family. David is preceded in death by his father Glen, mother Leota, and sister Sharon Cooney. David is survived by his wife Charlene, sister Janice Potter, daughter Anne (Tom) Coles, son Jonathan (Ashley) DeCou, and grand-children Amber, Tommy, Addison, Kambree, Alexis, Grayson, Hudson, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Adams Funeral Home in Paw Paw, Michigan on July 8th at 11 a.m. with funeral services commencing at 2 p.m. Burial will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, Michigan on July 9th at 1:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in David’s name to the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.