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(Jan. 5, 1915 – May 20, 2014)
Paul Howard Decker, 99, died Tuesday, May 20, 2014.
Paul was born Jan. 5, 1915, to Charles and Emma (Stewart) Decker in Washington, Kan.
After moving to Powell in 1935 Paul began working as a farmhand, later rented land and then purchased a farm on Heart Mountain.
After retiring from the farm and moving to town, Paul started woodworking. His wooden toys, furniture and birdhouses have found homes all over the United States as anyone who admired his handiwork was encouraged to pick out something to take. He was also a dedicated recycler, once earning the Recycler of the Year award.
Paul is survived by his wife of 79 years, Marjorie (Phillips) Decker; son, Paul “Jim” (Janet) Decker of Powell; daughter, Betty (Pete) Rauch of Missouri; son-in-law, Dick Franklin of Nebraska; daughter-in-law, Mary Jo Decker of Powell and sister-in-law, Ardath Decker of Powell.
Paul is also survived by nine grandchildren: Craig (Patti) Decker, Stan (Lisa) Decker, Gary (Shannon) Decker, Susan (Tracy Elliott), Jane Elliott, Laura Richards (Ken Lowther), Stephen (Teresa) Decker, Amy (Chris) Davis and Jason Rauch; 18 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his daughter Sandra Franklin, his son David Decker, his grandson Rodney Decker and his great-grandson Jason Decker. He was the ninth of 10 children who also preceded him in death: sisters Laural Close, Hazel Feyerabend, Fern Odgers and Frances Sand; brothers Raymond, Oliver, Arthur, Lyle John and Pearl.
Services were held at Thompson Funeral Home on Friday, May 23, followed with burial at Crown Hill Cemetery in Powell.
For those of you who wish, the family would appreciate memorials to Powell Valley Hospice, 777 Avenue H, Powell, WY, 82435.
