David Decker Fye

David Decker Fye died in Biloxi, Miss. on April 14, 2013. He was 84 years old. Mr. Fye was born Sept. 18, 1928 in Newcastle, Penn., the eldest child and only son of David Earl Fye and Ruby Whitford Fye. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict and earned the Purple Heart. Over his long career as a mechanical engineer with Bausch & Lomb and later with Ferson Optics, he earned awards and honors for his original designs and efficiency innovations. He excelled in every sport he attempted, winning many trophies and competitions in pool, horseshoes, bowling, and cards. He also authored many meaningful poems for family members and was a master at crossword puzzles. He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepson, Guy Smith. Survivors include his wife, Jeanne Ross Fye, and his children Sharon Fye Ash of Chandler, Ariz.; Connie Fye Herzig of Oneonta, N.Y.; Roger David Fye of Santa Clarita, Calif.; Lynda Fye Brock of Ocean Springs, Miss.; and Sandy Fye Mau of Columbia, S.C.; his step children Robynn Smith Kaufman of Biloxi, Miss. and Shari Smith Penton of Gautier, Miss.; 18 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sisters, Donna Fye Logan and Susan Fye Bechtel. He will also be sincerely missed by his little companion, Sammy. Visitation will be on Friday, April 19, 2013, from 10 am until 12 noon, with a 12 noon Memorial Service, all at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Biloxi National Cemetery.