James Bright Dekle Jr.

Funeral services for James Bright Dekle, Jr. of Thomasville will be held at 3:00PM on Tuesday January 4, 2022 in the Allen & Allen Celebration of Life Chapel with Pastor Sean Jacobs officiating, and Mike Hanscom assisting. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 2:00-3:00PM. Interment will be in Laurel Hill Cemetery. Mr. Dekle passed away on Friday, December 31. 2021 at Thomasville Health and Rehab. Born on August 30, 1926 in Coolidge, he was the son of the late James Bright Dekle, Sr. and Lorena Thornton Dekle. Mr. Dekle was a World War II veteran, having served in the U. S. Navy. He was married to Rheba Aline Lipham in 1948 at Eastside Baptist Church and they were the first couple to be married in the church. Mr. Dekle was a firm believer in God and continued to serve in the church his entire life. Antique airplanes were one of his many passions and he was the founder of the Thomasville Aviation Museum located at the Thomasville Municipal Airport and was instrumental in getting items donated to the Museum through the years. He was an Aviation Mechanic and Pilot and built and rebuilt airplanes and engines throughout the years. Antique farm engines were another passion he enjoyed and was a founding member of the Deep South Gas and Steam Engine Club that is still active. Survivors include his daughter Janice Dekle Gay (Randall) of Thomasville; son John B. Dekle (Linda) of Thomasville; grandchildren Michael Bradley Gay (Sarah), William Harris Pyle (Jacque), Nikki Kroes; great grandchildren Tanith, Trey, Ayden, and Britney; sister Lois Anderson (Melvin); numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife Rheba Lipham Dekle, sister Thelma Blow, brothers Prince Edward Dekle, C.L. Dekle, Billy Dekle, and Waymon Dekle; great grandsons Tyler and Nathaniel. His family asks that donations be made to Hospice of Southwest Georgia or Eastside Baptist Church.