Roll Call Tribute

Richard Kenneth "Dick" Decker, Sr.

December 4, 1933 - May 6, 2023 

Richard "Dick" Decker was born in South Texas in the small village of Stuart Place. He was the youngest of seven children. He graduated from Harlingen High School at 16 and worked for Bush Supply. At the encouragement of his sister, Barbara, he attended Texas A&M University, first in architecture, then electrical engineering. He met and married Doris Lee Bedingfield, having four boys, Richard Jr. (Rick), Scott, Jerry, and Lance. After a divorce, Dick married Barbra Webb-Turner, adding Kenneth and Robert as sons. Dick and Barbra were married nearly 50 years before her death in December 2019.

Dick worked for Dealers Electrical Supply in Waco, TX, for 50 years, spending much of his time there as the purchasing manager but was eventually the company's president. After retirement, he served on the board of directors. Dick loved the people at Dealers and treated each one like family. Dick and Barbra traveled the world with their Dealers Electric family on trips sponsored by vendors.

Dick and Barbra were members of the Northside Church of Christ for many years before moving to Purmela, TX, in 2001. They served their church family at Pearl Church of Christ until Barbra's death in 2019 when Dick moved to Tomball, TX. Here he was a Spring Creek Church of Christ member until his death.

Dick is best known to his six boys as Pop, Dad, or Daddy. To his six grandchildren, he is known as Grandpa. His eight great-grandchildren know him as Big Pappy or Big Poppi. To his nieces and nephews, he's affectionately known as Uncle Dick or Uncle Dickie.

Dick had a calm demeanor and a gentle spirit. He was a generous man with both his time and his money. Family, church, and friends were most important to him. He loved people deeply and served God with all his energy. He was an honorable man who could be counted on to do what he committed to do.

Dick was preceded in death by his parents, Selma Alexander Decker Sr. and Winne Vaughn; six siblings, Margel, Barbara, Dortha, S.A. Jr. (Bugs), Lois, and Jean and their spouses; his beloved wife, Barbra Decker; his daughter, Winnie Bernice Decker, his son, Ken Turner, his grandson, Lance Decker Jr., and his great-grandson, Titus Decker.

His living family consists of five sons, Rick Decker and his partner, Richard Yep of San Francisco, CA, Scott Decker and his wife, Kathy of Colleyville, TX, Robert Turner of Mount Calm, TX, Jerry Decker of Cristoval, TX, and Lance Decker and his wife, Tammy of Tomball, TX. His Grandchildren are Bryan Decker and his wife, Daye, Sean Decker and his wife, Renni, Timothy Decker, Thomas Decker and his wife, Amelia, and Jessica Ferguson and her husband, James. His great-grandchildren are Brayden, Ava, Rhett, Reed, Josiah, Evelyn, and Eden. He also has a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and numerous cousins.

Dick went to be with his Lord on May 6, 2023.

Services will be held at Pearl Church of Christ, 6790, FM183, Evant, TX 76525, on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 11 a.m., followed by a private graveside service for the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Cherokee Home for Children. Please go to https://www.chc4kids.org/ways_to_help/other_ways_to_help.html and use the "Memorial and Honor Gift" link or contact the home at (800) 689-3292.