Guy Robert Decker

A self-confessed "poor country boy from PA", Guy was born in Callicoon, New York on March 17, 1950 to Betty Coe Decker, a registered nurse, and Robert Decker, a Navy PT boat sailor during WWII who later became a farmer and insurance agent.

Guy's early childhood years were spent on his family's dairy farm in Tyler Hill, PA, balancing chores, learning how to drive a tractor, and attending a one-room rural school which housed six grades. He joked that the adjoining outhouse and woodshed used for a pot belly stove would be the envy of today's Cracker Barrel.

He graduated from Damascus High School in 1967 where he had been active in junior varsity and varsity level basketball teams (center starter). Guy also played catcher and 1st baseman positions on his team, the Damascus Cardinals.

Upon graduating, Guy gained direct admission to The Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Sciences in 1969 where he obtained a degree in pharmacy in 1972. He was also initiated into Kappa Psi fraternity, one the oldest in the country. He assumed positions of assistant pharmacy manager for several chains and local stores after graduation.

In 1980 the dream of owning and operating his own pharmacy came true when he opened yup Decker's Pharmacy in Lake Ariel, PA. Ten years later, he became drug representative for Eli Lilly and Company, covering northern California and Nevada.

Realizing his true interest was in retail pharmacy and not sales, he made Florida his final home where he was employed by several major pharmacies in northern and central Florida. Guy formally retired in September 2025 surrendering his counting tray and pill splitters.

Known for his strong work ethic, sense of loyalty and love for his profession, Guy derived the greatest pleasure in personal connection with each customer he encountered.

His second greatest joy was playing golf, having travelled to play in several amateur championships in the 1990s maintaining memberships and golf buddies throughout the years. One memorable moment was receiving a ticket to the Master's Championship in Augusta, GA in 2023.

Guy is survived by his loving wife Mary; his stepchildren, Alex and Jake Owen, Michael and Gina Mejia; his step-grandchildren Joey and Emmarose Owen; brothers-in-law Freddy Arroyo, Fernando Valverde, Jr., and Bill Allen; sisters-in-law Emilie Arroyo, Marie Valverde-Valle, and Ginny Allen; younger brother Brett Decker and his wife Suzanne; nephew Seth Decker; niece Brynn Decker, and great nieces Brooklyn and Ella Decker.

A celebration of life for Guy will be held on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, 2198 K-Ville Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823 at 1:00 pm.