Memorial services for Robert Dean Bob Decker, 82 year-old Thomas, Oklahoma resident, will be held Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at the Thomas First United Methodist Church with Greg Keith officiating, under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Thomas.

Bob was born January 6, 1932 to Ivern and Lillie (Green) Decker in Thomas, Oklahoma and passed away Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Corn Heritage Village of Weatherford, Oklahoma. Bob was raised and lived the majority of his life on the family farm. He attended Custer City Public Schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade and graduated Valedictorian of his class in 1949. Bob enjoyed playing basketball and baseball as a Custer Pirate. After high school graduation he attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University, earning his Bachelor Degree in Biology and Math Education in 1953. It was there that he met his black haired beauty, Jo Ann Moore, on a blind date on his 18th birthday. A kiss on the cheek was all it took and he was hooked. Bob was drafted immediately after graduation into the US Army during the Korean War. He served for two years and was discharged in 1955. During his time in the Army he would hitchhike back home as often as he could to see Jo and visit his family. He and Jo were married June 24, 1954 in Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, and would have celebrated their 60th anniversary this year.

After discharged from the Army, Bob and Jo began their lives and teaching careers together in Scott City, Kansas. He trained horses in Denver, Colorado during the summers. Bob continued his education and earned his Masters Degree in Counseling. They moved to Fairview and then to Enid, before returning home in 1966. They lived in Weatherford for a short time before building a house back on the family farm. There, Bob was a supervisor for the State Department of Rehabilitative Services and farmed on the side. He retired from Rehab Services in 1989.

Bob enjoyed horse racing, flying airplanes, golf, skiing and talking politics. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed looking for arrowheads, fishing and hunting until his later years when he couldnt bring himself to kill anything. He loved the land and the natural world. He had a true pioneer spirit of adventure and loved to travel the back roads of the western United States. He loved telling stories about his childhood, and nothing was more important to him than his family. He taught his children and grandchildren how to be winners both on and off the playing field. Bob was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He doted on his grandkids, traveling miles to keep up with them and hardly ever missing a ballgame or other activity. Bob was a generous man who helped anyone in need, rarely said no to his kids and grandkids, and in his last years enjoyed giving candy to anyone and everyone who passed his way.

Bob is survived by his wife of 59 years, Jo Ann Decker of Thomas, Oklahoma; three daughters, Renee Decker, Traci Hajny and husband, David, and Wendy McSparrin and husband, Allen all of Thomas, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Zack Brown, Kevin and Kade Hajny, and Annie and Lindsey McSparrin; and one brother, Gene Decker and wife, Anne of Seiling, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Trey Decker.

As a tribute, please make a generous gift of your time to someone who matters to you. Tell a story, play a round of golf, or take a walk and appreciate the life around you. Contributions can be made to the First United Methodist Church in Custer City.