Brig. Gen. Clyde Carey Deckard Jr.

Clyde Carey Deckard, Jr. Carey Deckard of San Antonio, Texas died January 14, 2025. He was born on December 7, 1932, in Eastland, Texas to Clyde C. Deckard, Sr. and Lora McGehee Deckard. He was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Robert Carey Deckard. He is survived by his wife, June Deckard; sons, Dean and wife Monica, Perry and wife Amy; grandchildren, Elizabeth Motl, Richard and wife Jaime, Lee and wife Sibyl, Darla Deckard; and great grandchild, Clara Motl.

Deckard grew up living in several Texas towns, but he claimed Lampasas in central Texas and Whitesboro in North Texas as his hometowns. He graduated from Whitesboro High School in 1950 having stayed there to finish high school after his parents moved to Denton in 1948. During his last year in school, he lived with his coach, Bo Reid and his wife Dorothy and played football, basketball, and baseball.

After graduation from High school, Carey visited Lampasas and renewed friendships and began his career as a radio broadcaster on radio station K-HIT. This made it possible for him to work his way through college graduating from the University of Texas in Austin with a bachelor’s degree in history and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF in June 1956. He later earned a master’s degree in education administration from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Carey Deckard’s life was filled with a wide variety of interests and activities in which he utilized his abilities as a “communicator and personality.” These included his time spent as a radio & television personality, master of ceremonies, actor, singer, public relations specialist (including the opening of a number of San Antonio's major buildings and world’s fair HemisFair’68), aviation (pilot & instructor), Air Force Officer, teacher, taking care of his wife & sons, active in sports as a player and coach, helping others, and serving God as a church participant and Sunday School teacher.

Deckard’s employment career included many years he spent as a radio and television personality, Vice President of Fess Parker’s production company, Fesspar, that produced NBC TV’s Daniel Boone show, Director of radio & television promotion for HemisFair ’68, Vice President and Director of Public Relations for three major financial institutions. Following the decline of the financial industry, he became Assistant Executive Director of the Institute of Texan Cultures concluding his full-time employment by retiring in January 1997.

A major portion of Carey Deckard’s life was spent serving his country. He entered the service in January 1957. Shortly after his release from active duty, he joined the Air Force Reserve and the 433rd Troop Carrier “Alamo Wing” at Kelly AFB. This was the beginning of a 28-year commitment to the reserve which ultimately included a 16-month call to active duty during the Vietnam War. His last assignment was as Mobilization Assistant to the Director of Public Affairs, Office of the Secretary of the Air force in the Pentagon, Washington, D. C. rising to the rank of Brigadier General. He retired from the Air Force in 1988.

Some of the highlights in Carey’s life first and foremost, Carey and June were married for 70 years. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother and together the two of them made every effort to be close to their sons and their families. Next teachers, coaches, preachers, relatives, families and friends in Whitesboro, Lampasas, and San Antonio who made an effort to be helpful were a great influence on Deckard’s life. In appreciation of his Coach who gave him a home in Whitesboro, he and June established the Ben “Bo” Reid scholarship to honor Bo’s memory. His love for Lampasas included compiling and publishing a book with Dr. Franklin Stokes to honor Lampasas legends, Curtis Bozart and Sam Fowler for the Bozart/Fowler scholarship fund.

Serving the Lord and others was a code that Carey lived by and he did so by attending Trinity Baptist Church, teaching a Sunday school class and conducting a weekly Bible Study breakfast for 28 years. In Summary, Carey Deckard faced many challenges during his life and, even though he didn’t always live up to his high ideas, he always did the very best he knew how.

The Deckard family would like to thank his caregivers from Griswold Home Health Care who looked after him faithfully for the last two years. They were Cynthia, Lorraine, Margie, La Quanda, Bernice, Tommie, Juan and Sharlette as well as administrators Misty and Norma. Also, we thank the staff of nurses and CNA’s at The Juniper Nursing Home and the great care from Gentiva Hospice, especially nurse Lindsey.

A Funeral Service will take place on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at 11:00 am in the Sanctuary at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church (825 E. Basse Road, San Antonio, Texas). The service will be live streamed by Alamo Heights United Methodist Church.

A Graveside Service will take place on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Oakwood Cemetery (1394 West Main Street, Whitesboro, Texas).

If so desired, donations can be made to the Texas Air Museum, Stinson Chapter, 1234 99th St., San Antonio, TX 78214 or a charity of individuals choosing.

The service may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhHitCOBWTo