Jimmy Don Decker Sr.

July 9th, 1943 - August 10th, 2007

Jimmy Don's Memory Wall

We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Jimmy Don here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. Share your favorite stories or comment on those shared by others.

Uncle Jim's family, there are no words to describe what the family is going thru at this awful time! I wish that I could have been there to find out more about your life and to hear stories about mom. I will always think of you often and will never forget!!!
Mom loved you so much!
To the kids, I am so sorry for your pain that you are going through! Remember that your dad loved you very much and I am just a phone call away.
Gene, Lovie, Sue, Brenda, Robbie, I don't know where to begin with you. You have indured so much this year and I wish that I had your strength through this time again.
I love you all and I will keep in touch more now then ever.
Uncle Jim, I love you and I will never forget our last phone call.

love,
Martha Nelson (Mary's daughter)

Martha Nelson

Uncle Jim,

I will miss your laugh. As a kid I remember visiting you in Michigan. You would tell us jokes and funny stories about your brothers, sisters, kids, and even yourself.
Uncle Jim, in my heart I hold lots of memories of your family and you. I wish that I could be there to share my memories and love with everyone. You will always be in my heart.

To his family, Uncle Jim was the best. Remember he loved you guys very much.

I will always love you
and miss you Uncle Jim
Your niece,
Terri (sue's daughter)

Terri Hall

MY UNCLE JIM

Everyone had a different relationship with Jim Decker. My Uncle Jim was not a perfect man. He could even be called a stubborn and sometimes an ornery man. He considered the world to be made up of two kinds of people, the have and have nots. He measured himself by this standard.

Did he have a lot of money? Not. Did he have a fancy car? Not. Did he have fine clothes or have a fancy house? Not.

But during the last few months, Uncle Jim’s life changed dramatically. He was in and out of hospitals ending up in Borgess Hospital for almost a month. He was in and out of intensive care. Jimmy sat by his side for several days and nights with very little sleep. Ann, in her frail health, being pushed in a wheel chair was there. Other family members visited and those that were far away called him often.

Uncle Jim became weaker and weaker and had to accept the fact that he was not going to get better. The chaplain came to his room the last day of his life. It was obvious that he and Uncle Jim had already spent time together and it was now clear where Jim received his strength and acceptance.

On the day of his passing, Uncle Jim’s room was filled with family members, for he told my dad, Gene, he didn’t want to die alone. Again, Jimmy was by his side.

Did Jim Decker have overflowing love for and from his family? Yes he did have. Did Jim Decker have peace of mind about leaving this life? Yes he did have. And most important, did Jim Decker have an understanding and know where he was going when he left this life? Yes he did have.

Each of us should measure ourselves against the standard of Uncle Jim’s last day. If you were to leave this life today would you have the love and support from your friends and family that Jim Decker had? Would you have the peace of mind that Jim Decker had? And if you left this life today would you have the understanding and know where you were going as Jim Decker did?

Uncle Jim realized it doesn’t matter if you are a have or have not in this world; what matters is how you leave this world and the day he left this life, he had it all.

I Love You Uncle Jim and will miss you everyday of my life.

Belinda
Belinda

Belinda Cowell

Uncle Jim i was very young when i saw u last but i am 44 now but even tho we was miles apart u remained in my heart it is hard coping with the loss of dad back in june but i know u will see him soon,when god sounds the trumpet and gathers all of his children home,i will miss u so much and when u see dad please tell him that i love him and all my other aunts and uncle and grandma and grandpa to,it is hard but with god on our side he can make us stronger with time but we have to call on him for his help.that's what i have to do daily to help ease my pain of losing dad,so uncle jims family and brothers and sisters stay strong and trust in the lord and he will see u all through this hard time.think of the memories keep them in your heart and he will always be with u ,ur nephew Riley's son.Terral

Terral Decker

Uncle Jim evertime I think of you I'll feel such a loss but at the same time there will be a smile on my face. Whenever you laughed, it made me laugh just watching you. You always had that blushing, little boy look on your face. And I'll never forget that when you stood to talk you always had that hand on your hip.It's those little things like these that made you so special to me. I love you Uncle Jim and I can't wait to see you again someday. Oh, sure hope you don't have to pick any blueberries in heaven.HA!
Theresa (Niece)