Etcyl “Jake” Degase, of Rifle, Colo., passed away May 1, 2005. He was 92 years of age.
Mr. Degase was born Sept. 28, 1912, to Pone Degase and Elsie Miller, in Ozark County, Mo. He spent his childhood in Missouri. He married Myrtle Plum on April 27, 1931, in Douglas County, Mo. She preceded him in death in October 1998.
Mr. Degase worked as a mechanic for Union Carbide for 35 years. He retired on Oct. 1, 1974. He was a resident of Rifle, Colo. for 70 years. Jake was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed gardening and yard work.
He had many nieces and nephews, and many great-nieces and great great-nieces and nephews, whom he considered his grandchildren and great great-grandchildren. He was a second dad to Bub, Patty and Sue Plum.
In the last four years, the highlight of his life was to get to go to his family reunions in Ava, Mo.
He is survived by Ivy Turner, of Ava; nieces and nephews, Kenneth Plum (Margie), Robert “Bub” Plum, all of Rifle, Colo., and Patty Loesch and her husband, of Las Vegas. He is also survived by many, many special friends. He was loved by all. He kept in touch by subscribing to the Douglas County Herald for over 50 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; four brothers; and one sister; and a niece, Sue Plum Moorehead.
He will be laid to rest Saturday, May 7, 10:30 a.m., in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Rifle, Colo.
Pallbearers were Carl Gooch, Eric Terrell, Dick Arnold, Joseph Metzger, Jim Hunter and Ross Hunter, along with honorary pallbearers Richard Lansdown, Rocky Degase, Wayne Degase, Jim Turner, Marvin “Butch” Degase and Bub Plum.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Rifle Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.
