John C. DeCow

John Carl “J.C.” DeCow, 85, of Oklahoma City, and formerly of rural Galesburg, Kansas, passed away on March 21, 2026, at Parc Place Resort in Oklahoma City.

J.C. was born on March 28, 1941, to George S. and Lucille (Willis) DeCow in rural Dennis, Kansas. He grew up and attended school in rural Labette County, graduating from Labette County Community High School in 1959. He learned the skill of typesetting in trade school, and for a time, he worked for the Erie Record and the Coffeyville Journal. For many years, J.C. worked as a general contractor and carpenter.

He married Patricia Lou Edwards and from that union Carla Jo and Connie Rae were born. The couple later divorced. In 1981, J.C. married the love of his life, Euelia “Lee” Weidert.

J.C. and Lee worked hard together on their farm outside of Galesburg, where they built a home and more importantly, many memories for their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The farm was always kept in tip-top shape and a place for their family to have many first-time life experiences, such as watching baby calves being born. He wasn’t afraid to try new things like raising emus. A great storyteller, J.C. loved to make people laugh. After moving to Oklahoma to be closer to his daughter, J.C. enjoyed playing Bingo and other games with his friends at the nursing home.

Survivors include:

Two daughters – Connie Gillman of Guthrie, Oklahoma

Carla Harrison and her husband, Danny, of Haysville, Kansas

Two step-sons – Rick Weidert and his wife, Blanche, of DeSoto, Kansas

Howard Weidert and his wife, Paula, of Galesburg, Kansas

Eight grandchildren – Kelli Davidson and her husband, Shane, and their two children of Edmond, Oklahoma; Kayla Harrison and her five children of Springfield, Missouri; Danny Harrison, Jr., and his wife, Mariah, and their two children of Wichita, Kansas; Melissa Hoffman and her husband, Lynn, and their four children, of DeSoto, Kansas; Amanda Addis and her husband, Trevor and their two children, of DeSoto, Kansas; Charlie Weidert of Lawrence, Kansas; Seth Weidert and his wife, Angela, and their two children, of Parsons, Kansas; and Nessa Kirkpatrick and her husband, Reed, and their four children.

Three sisters – Coleen Stringer, Flossie Ray, and Kay Ellis

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Lee Weidert-DeCow; three brothers, Lewis DeCow, Melvin Dale DeCow, and Sonny DeCow; and three sisters, DeEtta Lewis, Jean West, and Beverly Mathis.

The graveside service will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, April 20, 2026, at Valley Cemetery in rural Parsons, Kansas.