James 'Jim' Byron Decker
James "Jim" Byron
Decker, 75, went to live eternally with his Lord and Savior on Friday (Oct. 20,
2006) after a brief battle with cancer.
The loves of his life were
God, family, his community and singing. He was born on Sept. 4, 1931, in
Abilene to John A. Decker Jr. and Mabel Ruth Glenn Decker. He was raised in
Enterprise, where he graduated from high school.
He attended Bethany College
in Lindsborg; Kansas State University in Manhattan; and Washburn University in
Topeka. His work history included: Martin Lumber Co. in Topeka; New York Life
Insurance Co. in Topeka and Abilene; General Motors Acceptance Corp. in Salina,
Fort Riley, Liberal and Wichita; and Kansas State Bank in Wichita.
In 1977, he became president
of First Bank of Newton. In 1980, he became president of Anadarko Bank and
Trust in Anadarko, Okla. In 1986, he retired and did independent bank
consulting for two years until he became general manager of Bob Moore Leasing
and Eldorado Motors in Oklahoma City. His final retirement came in April 1995.
Jim was very active in his
communities, serving roles in Lions Club and Rotary, including the Past
Presidents Club of both. He provided leadership to Newton Community Theatre for
14 years and was integral in establishing the community theater in Anadarko. He
was always willing to share his lifelong love of singing. In 1963, he joined
the Cavaliers barbershop quartet and sang professionally until 1981, traveling
across the United States and doing a USO tour in 1969 to Japan, Okinawa and the
Philippines, entertaining the wounded out of Vietnam.
Jim was actively involved in
all of his churches, beginning with Enterprise Methodist Church and, finally,
at New Covenant United Methodist Church in Edmond, Okla. He was very active in
the Emmaus community and Kairos Prison Ministry, serving both inside prisons
and on Kairos Outside weekends. His strong desire in life was to share the hope
he found in Jesus Christ to as many as his life would touch. He was a pillar of
strength and the best ambassador a church/Christian community could have. He
knew everybody and called them by name, just like his Heavenly Father.
He was preceded in death by
his parents; brothers: Charles, Glenn and Wallace; foster brother, Warren
Douglas; and ex-wife, Alice Roberta Mears Decker.
He is survived by his wife,
Nancy of the home; daughter and husband, Victoria and Robert Buel of Manhattan;
daughters, Mary Decker of Kansas City, Mo., Martha Decker of Portland, Ore.,
Angela Decker of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Amy Decker of Edmond; grandchildren,
Matthew Buel presently serving in Iraq, Katherine and Cynthia Buel of
Manhattan; twin brother and his wife, John S. and Barbara Decker of Wichita;
and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family would like to
express its thanks to the church family, neighbors and friends who provided
much love and support to Jim and the family during his brief, difficult
illness.
In lieu of flowers, memorials
may be made in Jim's memory to New Covenant United Methodist Church building
fund (2700 S. Boulevard, Edmond, OK 73013) or Kairos Prison Ministry (P.O. Box
54383, Oklahoma City, OK 73154).
A memorial service to honor
James' life will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at New Covenant United Methodist Church
in Edmond. A future memorial service will be n Enterprise.
