Cloudy, 37° F
(May 8, 2008)
Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. today (Tuesday, may 13) at Thompson funeral home for Pearl Woodrow Wilson Decker, who died Friday, May 8 at Powell Valley Hospital. He was 95. Burial will be in crown hill cemetery.
He was born on the family homestead in Washington, Kans., Nov. 1, 1912, the eighth of 10 children born to Charles and Emma Decker. Pearl attended the country schools of Washington, Kans., and received his high school diploma from Hollenberg High School.
Pearl met his life-long love and companion when Helen Phillips moved with her family to Hollenberg, Kans. Pearl and Helen were married Nov. 17, 1934, in Washington, Kans.
Pearl made a trip to Wyoming in august 1934, secured a farm job and returned to Washington to marry Helen. He and his new new bride returned together to the Shoshone valley on Thanksgiving day, Nov. 22, 1934. This began their long and successful farming and cattle business.
Pearl started as a farm hand in the north end community, leased land on the Powell flat, and then purchased a farm on heart mountain in 1951. He retired from farming in 1977 and purchased a home on Avenue J in Powell. Pearl and Helen enjoyed fishing, their travels and adventures with the good Sam club as members of The Polecat Ramblers.
Survivors include his wife of 73 years, Helen; daughters, Louise Taylor and Lois (Heber) Hart both of Powell and Leanna (Ernest) Phipps of DuPont, Colo.; brother, Paul (Marjorie) Decker, and sister-in-law, Ardath Decker, all of Powell.
He is also survived by grandchildren, Richard (Marilyn) Lynch and Keith (Susan) Lynch of Houston, Texas, Greg (Glenda) Lynch, Mark (Renee) Phipps of Powell, Crystal Hart Scott of San Diego, Calif., and Michael (Debra) Hart of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif.; and great grandchildren, Lauren Lynch of Madison, N.J., Benjamin Lynch of Houston, Texas, Kelsey and Garret Lynch of Powell, Jena Lynch of Graz, Austria, Levi and Jessica Scott of St. Johns, Mich., and Lauren Mary and Katelyn Hart of Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. Pearl was also blessed with many nieces, nephews and friends.
Pearl was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Laural Close, Hazel Feyerabend, Fern Odgers and Frances Sand Crocker; brothers, Raymond, Oliver, Arthur and Lyle John Decker; and sons-in-law, Dick Lynch and Lynn Taylor.
For those who wish, the family, would appreciate memorials to Powell Life Line, in care of Powell Hospital Volunteers, 777 Avenue H, Powell, WY 82435.
