Kent M Decker

Kent M. Decker, 83, passed away on May 10th, 2024, at home. He was the husband of Joanne, father of seven children, 25 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. They shared 60 years together. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on July 22, 1941, Kent was the seventh and last child of Francis Jasper Decker and his wife, Melba Harris Decker. Kent graduated with the class of 1959 from Puyallup High School. After graduation, he went on a 30-month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints, serving in Southern California, Arizona, and New Mexico.
A week after Kent got home from his mission in January 1964, he met Joanne Patricia Parsons at the LDS Institute in Seattle. They were married on August 26th, 1964, in the Idaho Falls Temple. After his mission and marriage, he went back to college at the University of Washington, where he also affiliated with the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. Kent graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree and applied to Loyola Dental School in Chicago, IL, where he graduated in May of 1972 with his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
Kent set up his dental practice on South Hill in Puyallup, Washington on November 9th, 1972, and had a full patient schedule from day one. Ten years later, he purchased a practice in Enumclaw, Washington, two blocks from his home. He practiced there until July 17th, 2000, when he had a massive stroke and sold his practice to Steve Harding. Kent was active in the Boy Scouts, affiliated with his church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and saw all four of his sons achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Besides being active in the scouting program at his church, Kent had many leadership roles. He served on the stake high council; as stake young men's president; as a counselor to three bishops, as a bishop himself, and as a counselor to Stake President Larry Jay Thomas.
Kent is survived by his spouse of 60 years, Joanne; seven children: F Jay (Bethanne), Kevin (Vanessa), Erin (Scot), Scott (Carol), Joshua (Rose), Megan (Erin), Brienne (Brie) (Joseph); 25 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren. Kent was preceded in death by his parents, Francis Jasper and Melba Decker; and his six siblings and their spouses: Lenore (Jack), Marily (Leon), Jack (Jean), Donna (Gordon), Ada (John), and Bill (Mi Fawnwy) (Mif). Joane and Mif are the surviving spouses.
The services are under the direction of Weeks' Enumclaw Funeral Home. The services will be held Friday, May 31, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at 246 Semanski Street, Enumclaw, Washington, 98022. The viewing will be at 9:00am, followed by the funeral service at 11:00am., with the graveside service at Evergreen Memorial Park (2371 SE 416th Street, Enumclaw) at 12:30pm. A family luncheon to follow.
The funeral service will be Zoomed live at https://zoom.us/j/96064729963 for those unable to attend.
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