Clifford A. Decker

Clifford A. Decker On Dec 10, 2016, Clifford Decker, age 89, was called home. He was one of 4 children bom to parents, Sophie and Clifford A, Decker Sr. He also had 3 half sisters. Cliff attended Ocoee High School in Ocoee, Fl and entered into the Navy in Jan 1945 before graduation. He served with the Navy Seabees in the Pacific theater. After discharge at war's end, He sought re-enlistment with the Navy but got into the US Coast Guard in 1946. He served on several cutters and stations. While stationed on the USCGC Tampa in Mobile AL, He met the love of his life, Etha and they were married in 1949. Etha predeceased him in death in 2002 after 52 years of marriage. Honorably discharged from the Coast Guard in 1950, Cliff worked in the fiberglass/plastics industry. In 1955, He joined civil service with the United States Air Force overhauling aircraft at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Al. By then, the Decker's - who had four children - needed extra income, so Cliff joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves as an amphibious landing craft operator. He worked full time at Brookley and served in the Marine Corps Reserves until his discharge in 1964. In 1965 due to the announced planned closure for Brookley Air Force Base, the family moved to Dallas where Cliff became sales manager for Rezolin Plastics, serving the aircraft manufacturing industry. ln 1972, the company was reorganized and downsized, so the Decker's moved to Omaha where Cliff was hired selling telephone and electrical cable and fiber optic products for Preformed Line Products @LP). His sales territory ranged from North Dakota to Texas. While on a business trip to Kileen, Tex in 1992, He and his business associate survived a mass murder in the Luby's cafeteria by helping to break out a rear window and leading many to safety. He retired from PLP in 2000. From the beginning of their marriage, Cliff accompanied his wife to the Community of Christ Church in Mobile, and began his life long relationship with God and Jesus Christ. Soon he began working as a youth minister and Boy Scout leader. That ministry led to Decker's 50-plus years of dedicated and decorated service with the Boy Scouts of America and church Youth programs and camps. He received many Scouting honors including the Silver Beaver Award and Community of Christ Youth service award. Cliff was ordained as a lay minister in the Community of Christ Church in 1952. A pioneer in Church Youth camping efforts, He led youth camps in Alabam4 Texas and Nebraska and lowa. He served as pastor of the Bellevue Community of Christ Church from 1975 to 1985, and led several Camp Ground developments. He was active with the Prairie Hills Community of Christ Church in Omaha. He is survived by Sisters Opal Flynn and Margret Patrick of Orlando, Fl and Brother in law, Hightower Hammac of Deer Park, AL. He is survived by 3 of his 4 children; Col USAF(ret) A.B. Decker and Ebbie Decker of Edmond OK, Brenda Salzman of Mobile AL, and Rebecca Decker-Neumann of Omaha, NE. His daughter Karen P. Pardue predeceased him in 2012 and his grandson Sam Neumann predeceased him in 2004. He is survived by 8 of 9 Grandchildren, 4 Great Grand Children and numerous Nieces and Nephews who will miss their beloved "Poppy" and "Uncle "Shorty". In Lieu of flowers, Donations are requested for the Community of Christ Church, Guthrie Grove Retreat Center. VISITATION Friday, December 16, 2016 from 5-8pm at Westlawn Hillcrest. FUNERAL SERVICE Saturday, December 17 10am at Westlawn. INTERMENT Westlawn Hillcrest Memorial Park.