Jay Emerson Decker

Jay Emerson Decker
July 18, 1942 - June 28, 2021
Jay 'Topper' Decker passed away at his home, surrounded by family, June 28, 2021.
Jay was born July 18, 1942 in Mason City, Iowa. A lifelong Hawkeye, Jay attended University of Iowa from which he graduated in 1965 with a degree in psychology. This phase of Jay's life was also marked by one of his fondest experiences, serving as a smokejumper in the rugged and remote backcountry of Washington and Oregon. Jay completed his rookie year at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base in 1963, before serving for the following two years at the newly opened Redmond Smokejumper Base.
In 1966, Jay began his tenure with the Portland Police Department, working his way up to the rank of sergeant before leaving the department in 1987. During this time, he also attended Portland State University where he received a master's degree in psychology and later met his future wife, Sue. The next several decades were marked by a number of entrepreneurial endeavors including owning and operating a hot dog stand, upholstery business, security company, and medical equipment repair service alongside close friends until his retirement in 2010.
During each of these pursuits, Jay always found time for the things he loved most. He was an avid hunter, world traveler, motorcycle enthusiast, and lover of dogs. For his 60th birthday, he completed Cycle Oregon XV, which took him on a seven-day bike trip from the Snake River to the Pacific Ocean. For his 77th birthday, he took his family on a once-in-a-lifetime (or in his case twice) river rafting trip along the Rogue River. Through all of his adventures, Jay would be the first to say that some of his happiest moments were spent sitting in the sunshine in his own backyard, enjoying good food and drinks with his loved ones.
Jay is survived by his wife, Sue; daughters, Kim and Britton; sister, Cheri; and six grandchildren, David, Cole, Griffin, Isabel, Decker, and Chase.
There will be a celebration of life later this summer. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Smokejumper Association, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Ducks Unlimited, or the Cycle Oregon Fund.
Please sign the online guest book at www.oregonlive.com/obits