Harold (Butch) Decker

Harold (Butch) Decker

Jan. 5, 1928 - July 29, 2015

McCOOK, Neb. -- Harold L Decker, 87, met his Lord on July 29, 2015, at Community Hospital in McCook, Nebraska.

He was born to Zenas and Bessie (Hawkins) Decker on Jan. 5, 1928, in Wauneta, Nebraska. He liked to tell people that he was "a government man" because he was born in a room at the back of the post office where his father was the post master.

Harold went to a country school and graduated from Wauneta High School in 1945. He entered the service of his country in May 1946 and was discharged in June of 1947, serving some of that time in Japan during the cleanup.

After his discharge, he worked as a contractor around the area. He married Shirley Follett in 1950. To this union four children were born, Ronald, Kathie, Dennis and Doug. They lived in Palisade, Nebraska, where he was employed at the Krotter and Ward lumber yard. They moved to California, where he was employed in manufacturing for several years. The family moved back to Palisade in 1961, they were later divorced.

On June 24, 1971, Harold married Sunya Sailors. They made McCook their home for a few years, where he worked for McCook Public Schools at the old Central Building and the Junior High. The couple moved to Guymon, Oklahoma, where they managed a motel, restaurant and club for two years. They moved back to McCook in 1975 and Harold was again employed with the school district, this time at East Ward. In 1976, he transferred to the Senior High where he also drove the bus on occasion. I think it's safe to say that the kids that he had contact with, especially the boys, really liked "Butch." He put in 27 years with the school system, retiring in 1999.

He was a 40-year member of the Odd Fellows Lodge in Palisade. He joined the Palisade Methodist Church in 1954 and the First Congregational Church in McCook in 1982. He served the congregation as treasurer and trustee for many years and was head usher from the time he joined until his health and eye sight prevented him from performing his duties.

He was met at Heaven's Gate by his parents; brothers, Deleware and Wilfred; son, Ronald; granddaughter, Robin; and great-grandson, Bobby.

Those loving and missing him here include his wife, Sunya; daughter, Dorla and husband, Bob Hallowell of Blaine, Minnesota; step-son, Dennis Grabast and wife, Hayley of Lincoln; daughter-in-law, Barbara Decker of Garden City, Kansas; siblings, Dwayne and wife, Doris of Citrus Heights, California, and Phyllis Willerton and husband, Rick of North Platte; sisters-in-law, Arlis Decker of North Platte and Linda Decker of Lincoln; grandchildren, Kyanne, Megan and Bryan, Alex and Hayden; great-grands, Blake, Sierra and Piper; and other family members, numerous nieces and nephews, and many, many friends.

Memorials may be given in his name to the First Congregational Church or charity of giver's choice.

Memorial services will be Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, 10:30 a.m. at the First Congregational Church in McCook with the Rev. Steve Bales officiating.

Military honors will be at the church. A private family inurnment will be at a later time.

Herrmann Jones Funeral Chapel of McCook is in charge of the arrangements.