TERRI L. DECKER

TERRI L. DECKER

Dec. 8, 1948 - Aug. 24, 2014

Terri L. Decker, 65, of El Centro, CA passed away in St. George, Utah on Sunday, August 24, 2014.
Terri was born in Brawley, CA on December 8, 1948 to Margaret and Richard (Doc) McDonald. During her life, she was a much loved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will especially be remembered as a strong, intelligent, and gifted person whose quick wit and tenaciousness allowed her to be successful in many diverse endeavors.
Terri attended schools in Brawley and graduated from Brawley Union High School in 1966. She attended the University of California in Redlands for two years and finished her teaching degree at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She returned to Brawley in 1972 and began teaching for the Brawley Elementary School District (BESD). She continued her education and earned her Masters Degree in Education Administration from San Diego State University. During her tenure with BESD, Terri was an elementary teacher, school site resource teacher, vice principal, Acting Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Director of Special Projects & Student Services, and ended her career as BESD Superintendent from which she retired in 2010. In the 1990's she served as principal for five years at De Anza Elementary School in the El Centro Elementary School District. Terri was highly regarded as an educator and administrator, and was selected as Administrator of the Year for Imperial County by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA).
Terri was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Brawley and later in El Centro and was respected and loved by her church family and friends.
Terri was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret McDonald; her father, Richard "Doc" McDonald; her brother, Charles McDonald; lifelong "best friend since kindergarten," Vicki Lunceford; and dear friend and fellow educator/ administrator, Norma L. Kelly.
She is survived by her husband of 41 years, of El Centro, CA and Panguitch, Utah; mother-in- law Lillian Decker, of El Centro, CA; daughters, Margie and Daniel McDairmant; granddaughter, Scarlett and Sonnet of Santa Fe Springs, CA. Helen and Alor Allred of Salt Lake City, Utah with 5 grandchildren, Justin, Ammassie Matthew, Jonathan, and Andalyn of Salt Lake City, Utah.
Bruce and family extend their heartfelt appreciation to and sincerely thank all those who loved, supported, influenced and cared for Terri throughout her life and career.
A Memorial event for Terri is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 15, 2014 at Frye Chapel and Mortuary, 799 South Brawley Avenue, Brawley, CA with a private interment right after. Following interment, a reception will be held at the BESD Community Learning Center, 206 D. Street, Brawely, CA.