DECKER, James Edward 1931-2011

DECKER, VAN HORN

Posted By: S. Bell
Date: 2/21/2012 at 20:56:52

[Waterloo Courier, Sunday, January 1, 2012]

James Edward Decker passed away on Dec. 24, 2011. He was born Aug. 11, 1931, in Waterloo, where he was raised, attended elementary and high school, graduating in 1949. He was active in football and track and many other school activities.

In September 1949 he entered on duty with the FBI in Washington, D.C., as a clerical employee working days and attending evening college courses at Southeastern University. He married his high school sweetheart [Carol Van Horn] in December 1950 in Waterloo and they returned to Washington, D.C. Jim resumed his job and continued his college studies. Carol began work as a stenographer with the FBI.

Jim was a U.S. Naval reservist and his work and studies were interrupted in February 1952 when he was called to active duty during the Korean War, later returning to his wife, work and college studies.

Jim graduated from college in June 1955 with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He immediately applied for the position of FBI Special Agent. After testing, he was accepted and began New Agent's training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va. After 16 weeks of training he was assigned to Little Rock, Ark., as his first office of assignment. Subsequent assignments as a special agent were Houston and Milwaukee. He was later transferred to FBI Headquarters where he began his career in management.

He served as an inspector in the Inspection Division, Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Mobile, Ala., and Cincinnati, Ohio; Special Agent in Charge in Richmond, Va.; supervisor in Charlotte, N.C.; Assistant Special Agent in Charge in Las Vegas; and Special in Charge in El Paso, Texas, and Dallas. When he retired in 1981 after 30 years of service with the FBI, he returned to Las Vegas, where he served as vice president and director of security for several companies. He retired permanently in 1965.

In 2003 Jim and Carol moved to Cedar City, Utah, where they built a new home to be closer to their condo in the Tushar Mountains. Jim loved gardening, skiing, fishing trout streams, hiking and riding his ATV with Carol in the mountains.

During Jim's marriage with Carol they traveled around the world on 17 ocean cruises as well as other trips. Jim was an elder in the Presbyterian Church and was last a member of Community Presbyterian Church, Cedar City, Utah. He was a volunteer host for Shakespeare actors. Jim was a Life Boy Scout and in later years an adult leader while his sons were in the scouts. He was a member of the American Legion, Society of Former Agents of the FBI, and various law enforcement agencies.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years. Survivors are three sons, David (Wanda) Decker of Fort Worth, Texas, James (Lori) Decker of Las Vegas and Gregory (Page Decker) of Reno, Nev.; three granddaughters, Tiffany, Brooke and Ashley; and one grandson, Jonathan Decker.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at the Community Presbyterian Church, 2279 North Wedgewood Lane, Cedar City, Utah. Cremation services will be handled by Southern Utah Mortuary. He will be interred in Waterloo along with his wife. In lieu of flowers, make donations to Former Agents of the FBI Foundation, 3717 Fettler Park Drive, Dumfries, VA 22025

Black Hawk Obituaries maintained by Karen De Groote.
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