Jody Ann Deckard

Jody Ann Deckard, 59, of Brownstown, died peacefully at 3:05 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, holding her husband’s hand with her children present. She lost a year-long battle with stomach cancer. Jody was born on August 8, 1963, in Seymour, to Daniel and Sandra Colglazier. She was a lifelong resident of Jackson County. Jody attended Emerson Elementary, Shield’s Junior High and Seymour High Schools, graduating in 1981. She was voted Most Friendly in her class and was president of the Business Club her senior year. After graduation, she attended Indiana University Southeast. On July 21, 1984, in Brownstown, she married Jay Wade Deckard, and he survives. On August 17, 1995, at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis, Jody gave birth to premature twins, weighing just over two pounds. They survived, staying several weeks in the NICU. They are Dustin Hewitt Deckard and Deah Delise (Ryan) Thomas, both of Brownstown. Jody was employed at JC Penney in Seymour from 1983–1987, eventually being named Advertising and Merchandising Display Supervisor. In 1987, she was hired to be the new Aisin USA plant’s first receptionist. Her ID number was 019. She soon was assigned to the Human Resources Department and eventually was an Executive Secretary for president Takikawa. In 2000, she resigned her position to better raise her children and run a busy household. During this time, she was involved in PTO and volunteered at Brownstown Elementary. She eventually became a substitute teacher at all three Brownstown schools. She also was a substitute administrative assistant at the Seymour Edward Jones offices. In 2008, she started her tenure with Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation and worked there until June of 2022 when illness forced her resignation. She was Workforce Partnership Coordinator, working with schools and local industries. She also was instrumental in establishing a social media presence, including the “Hire Me” Facebook page. She was a 2012 graduate of Leadership Jackson County and a Leadership Jackson County board member from 2012–2019. She was a Seymour (now Jackson County) Chamber of Commerce board member from 2016–2021. She also was a past president of the Beta Mu chapter of Psi Iota Xi sorority. Jody was involved in many personal causes that were dear to her big heart, but which did not result in fame or accolades. These included spearheading efforts to raise funds for obtaining two thermal imaging cameras for the Seymour Fire Department in 1998. She was named Honorary Seymour Firefighter for that effort. She also continued her Leadership class project “United We Stand” on bullying for several years after the initial project (2012) ended, bringing in a guest speaker to speak to school children about bullying before it became part of normal conversation as today. Her latest personal project was obtaining venues and showing a film, “Eyes Wide Open” on human trafficking. Her dedication to Brownstown Christian Church was matched by few. She was a former daycare board member, Sunday School teacher, children’s choir director, and a member of the Praise Team for over twenty years. She brought countless solos and special music to the congregation, with the focus always being on praise. In 2015, being bothered by church debt, she brainstormed the Move the Mountain campaign, which she led until her death. In seven short years, and through the efforts of many, she was able to see that debt go from 1.3 million to less than $500,000.00 five days before her death. Her most recent church activity was being asked to manage the church’s first attempt at a food stand just six weeks before the 2021 Jackson County Fair. She hurriedly assembled a team of dedicated individuals, and they successfully pulled it off. This year, Jody was mostly unable to help, but that group stepped up in her honor and made it yet another success. Jody enjoyed entertaining and sitting quietly on her deck, boating at Lake Monroe with family and friends, and especially Monday babysitting and making scrambled “eggth” with the help of her granddaughter, Kacey. Her giggles were sometimes uncontrollable, especially during Friday night get-togethers that she inexplicably referred to as “Hoo-hahs”. Jody overcame many challenges and disappointments in her life. Her resilience and resolve were buoyed by her Christian faith. Her much-used motto was “It’ll all work out”. Jody is survived by her husband, children, and grandchildren, Kacey JoAnn Thomas and Conley Waylon Thomas; one brother, Gary (Carol) Colglazier of Seymour; one sister, Tammy (Kevin) Riordan of Seymour; one uncle, Lee Colglazier of New Haven; one aunt, Janet Colglazier Hewlett of Valparaiso; and numerous cousins. She also will be missed by numerous close friends, who were like family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, James David and Barbara Joan Deckard; and her beloved companion, Steele. Funeral services for Jody Ann Deckard will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Brownstown Christian Church with Pastor Mitchell McIntyre officiating. Friends may visit from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Brownstown Christian Church and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at Brownstown Christian Church. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Brownstown. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Move the Mountain, c/o Brownstown Christian Church, or the Jody Deckard Workforce Development Endowment Fund, c/o The Community Foundation of Jackson County. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff at Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown. Online memorials and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com

Jody Ann Deckard

August 8, 1963 - September 30, 2022