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Submitted: 8/8/17 • Approved: 8/11/17 • Last Updated: 8/14/17 • R1189688-G0-S3
March 14, 1918 - May 11, 2015
Obituary:
Richard Decker, 97, departed this life on Monday, May 11, 2015 at Stone County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
A native son of Mountain View, Richard was born on March 14, 1918, to Addie Dearien and Clarence Ruben Decker. Richard married his first wife, Dannie McCurry, also of Mountain View, in 1938. Together they worked in the oil fields in Illinois. Dannie was killed in an automobile accident three and a half months later. Shortly afterwards, Richard joined the Navy and enjoyed a twenty-one year career. He participated in World War II and the Korean conflict, and also saw action at the beginning of the Vietnam conflict. In 1942, he met and married Evelyn Elizabeth (“Libby”) Finders from Lake View, Iowa. Together they made their home on various Naval bases including Midway Island, Hawaii, Florida, California, and Washington State. He retired in 1961 with the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He and Libby returned to Mountain View, building a home on the farm next to that of his mother. Richard spent the last fifty plus years in his beloved Mountain View. He worked first for Stone County Gas Company, and then served as an Arkansas State Revenue Agent. It was through this office that Richard came to know most of the residents of Stone County. After his second retirement, he and Libby enjoyed traveling the United States in their RV and visiting their children, relatives and friends along the way. They were also seen on many weekends listening to music on the Court House Square.
Richard was one of the last remaining veterans of World War II. He is survived by two sons- Thomas R. Decker, and his wife Glenda, of White Stone, Virginia; and Terry A. Decker and his wife Judy, of Mountain View; four grandchildren - John A. Decker and his wife Mimi of Atlanta, Georgia; Stephen R. Decker and his wife Julia of Los Angeles , California; Rebecca S. Meskill and her husband Michael of Independence, Missouri; Robert E. Decker and his wife Jayme of Lee’s Summit, Missouri; and four great grandchildren - Frank, Jay, James, and Griffon Decker; and many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by Libby, his wife of 68 years; his parents, Addie and Clarence Decker; his brothers Hubert and Jack; and his sisters Lorene, Isabelle and Nina; as well as one granddaughter, Laura.
Visitation will take place on Tuesday, May 19, 2015, from 6-8PM at Roller Crouch Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, 10:00AM, at Flatwoods Missionary Baptist Church in Mountain View, Arkansas with Brother Maxie Haynes officiating. Interment will be at Historic Cemetery of Mountain View in Mountain View, Arkansas with military honors.
Pallbearers are Bobby Decker, Curt Decker, Tim Decker, John Decker, Steve Decker, and Robert Decker. Honorary pallbearers are Hinkle Decker, Johnny Scroggins, Ladd Sims, Stotts Isbell, Kevin Johnson, Rebecca Meskill, and Jake Newton.
Contributed on 8/8/17 by sandhollow
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Record #: 1189688