Clarence "Bud" Decker

Clarence Anthony Decker "Bud", age 86 died Wednesday November 22, 2017. Bud departed this earthly world surrounded by loved ones after a valiant struggle with cancer. Bud was born December 6, 1930 in Mount Clemens, Michigan the son of the late Clarence Decker and the late Helen (nee: Breen) Decker. Bud was raised in Roseville and graduated from St. Mary's High School in Mount Clemens, Michigan the graduating class of 1948. He proudly served in the United States Army from 1951 thru 1953, during the Korean War.Bud was a self-made man... He loved construction and built all four of his family homes. He founded True Management, Inc, a Construction Management firm, located in Utica, Michigan, until his retirement in 1992. Under Bud's leadership, the company was awarded $460 million of school construction, as well as over $60 million in prison and private development construction.Bud was a man of action with multiple hobbies he enjoyed during his lifetime. His favorite things to do were to follow his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, following their growth, their travels, and their success, all the while beaming with pride. He had no limit to where he would travel to see his family. He traveled back and forth to California more than 120 times to spend time with his daughters and their families.Bud loved to travel, always looking for a new adventure. He was proud to say he had visited 7 continents and walked in all 5 oceans. He visited all 50 states and 10 Canadian Provinces. Through his years of travel, he visited 68 countries. He traveled to Hawaii 15 times, Europe 9, Australia 3, South America and Asia 2 times, and Africa once. His final frontier was traveling to Antarctica which he accomplished in 2011.Bud also held a passion for the game of golf. His home courses were Garland Resort in Lewiston, Michigan, where he was a resident for more than 25 years, and PGA West in La Quinta, California, the home course of his long-time current love of his life, Bonnie Mahoney, where they would spend their winters. Bud was an accomplished golfer shooting his age at the age of 82. He also was proud of his many league, member-guest, member-member, and father-son championships.Deer hunting as a hobby was never a really a hobby... to Bud it was never about the hunt, but more about the camaraderie with his sons, grandsons, and nephews. He was always the one with a quick story or the tale about the deer that got away, and without fail the guy to win the poker hand. Most important to his hunting experiences, was his 63-year hunting camp experiences with his Brother-in-law and best friend Art DeCook.Bud is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 51 years, Suzanne Jo Decker who died in 2003, and his son Daniel who died in 1994. He leaves behind a beautiful and loving family and the current love of his life, Bonnie Mahoney. Bud was the dear father of John (Connie) Decker, Deborah Decker Thomas (Pat Baker), Michael (Cheryl) Decker, Mary Decker (Landy Pheloung), and Ann Decker (Dave Pitzen). He is further survived by his cherished grandchildren, John Jr. (Amber) Decker, Jason (Kimberly) Decker, Valerie Greenway, Christopher Thomas, Zachary Thomas, Ashleigh Thomas, Michael (Kristen) Decker, Adam Decker, Ryan Decker, Daniel Fourie, Emily Fourie, Ian Fourie, Jacob Julian, and Madeline Julian. So many will miss Bud, including his nine great-grandchildren, four siblings, and numerous close friends around the globe.Mr. Decker will lie in state Saturday 1:15pm at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Utica until the time of his Funeral Mass at 2pm. Celebrating the Funeral Liturgy will be Reverend Fr. Roman Pasieczny.In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Michigan, www.hom.org Please share memories of Bud at his memory book above.