If there are things to dislike about Decatur, Del Duckworth hasn’t found them.

They’re beyond the “brightest and warmest skies” of his still keen pilot’s eyes, sharpened during World War II.

And the people are not only friendly but also sincere, out of respect for each other, he says.

Are there any openings at the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce? Quick. Grab seats for these newcomers, Duckworth and his wife, Virginia.

They came north from Kendall in South Dade County, Fla., 20 miles below Miami, from the house where they lived 47 years. They relocated in August to be near the youngest of their four daughters, Julie Duckworth Mulligan, and her husband, Joe, of Decatur.

He works in quality control in Huntsville.

The Duckworths reside at Cedar Springs Retirement Community on Spring Avenue Southwest. Octogenarians who act as if they’ve just married, they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary Sept. 12. He cut his 85th birthday cake five days later. She was 85 in June.

Christmas has always been a festive time in their lives. Their first here was no exception. Grandchildren and gifts filled their patio home.

Forever optimists, they welcomed the New Year on Tuesday excited about the future.

Duckworth and his beloved “Ginny” were high school sweethearts in Richmond, Ind.

He followed her to a private Quaker school, Earlham College, and dropped out his junior year in 1943 to enlist in the Army Air Forces.

He asked her to marry him when he was a cadet in fighter pilot training making $75 a month.

“She wanted to see the world. After I finished basic at Indianapolis, all she saw was Texas,” he said.

Tragedy

He lost his bunkmate in a crash and while escorting the body home to California, Duckworth wrote a poem, “Flyer,” read at Virgil Duncan’s funeral. Six other fellow cadets died before training ended.

“And they were our best pilots,” he said. “I’ve spoken to other pilots over the years who said, ‘In severe combat, you have to have luck or you’re dead.’ ”

Duckworth graduated training on an AT-6, qualified to fly P-51s and P-47s just as the war ended in 1945. After service, he turned to pro baseball as a slick-fielding, solid-hitting second baseman, logging his best year in 1947 at Durham, N.C.

“Don’t confuse us with that movie,” he said of “Bull Durham,” the 1988 Kevin Costner baseball comedy.

“Already with two daughters, Ginny and I couldn’t make it, to keep moving the family around like that.”

He shelved his glove and spikes, and spent the next 40 years in the insurance business. She did numerous jobs, from substitute teacher to swimming instructor.

She spent 22 years as a social worker in Miami.

Duckworth coached American Legion Junior Baseball for nine years, coaxing a dozen into pro ball. Four made it to The Big Show: pitchers Marty Bystrom and Rob Murphy and catchers Nelson Santovenia and Fred Gonzalez.

As he coached, he recalled his seasons as a junior player. He and all his teammates went off to war. Some didn’t return. He wrote a poem dedicated to them called “High Ground.” It concludes:

“Remember to honor their courage, Our boys of summer games Who died charging the high ground, With only one precious life to give.”

Published author

His original poems are included in a book he published in 2007, “America’s Legacy of Great Courage 1929-1945.” Duckworth said he learned to write as a Kiwanian, turning out notices. He has the club’s Legion of Honor for 45 years membership.

“This is a good club in Decatur,” he said. “I love their philosophy, which is, ‘Let’s have fun and let’s also help the children in our community.’ ”

The Duckworths said they have been impressed with Decatur’s churches. They’ve decided on St. Luke United Methodist.

Duckworth’s book

For information about Del Duckworth’s book about his life growing up in the Great Depression and World War II service, contact Xlibris Corp. at (888) 795-4274 or go online to www.Xlibris.com.