Leonard Bert Dekker

Leonard Bert "Sonny" Dekker was born 90 years ago on December 8th, in the doctor's office above Johnny's Clothing, in Wapato, Washington. He grew up in White Swan & Wapato with 3 brothers and 4 sisters (two who died in infancy), and many cousins. It was a close-knit community on the Yakama Reservation where you knew everyone and always helped your neighbor. He went to school in White Swan and Wapato and worked on the family farm. He would farm all his life.
The day before his 7th birthday, the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. This changed his childhood significantly. He said everything from tires to sugar was rationed. When German prisoners of war were brought to the valley to work on the farms, it was his job to drive them to and from the fields with two armed guards in the back and one in the cab with him. He was 10 years old, so his dad put blocks of wood on the pedals of the truck so he could reach them.
He contracted polio at age 15 and missed a year of high school. He was the only person in the polio ward to survive. He went on to graduate from Wapato High School in 1954 and received the honor of most improved. He served in the Army National Guard for 6 years, working with radio-controlled airplanes.
In 1956 he met his best girl Karolyn French at the K-I Drive-in. She was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. They were married on July 12, 1957, and had three girls – Esther, Susie & Sandi. They made a beautiful life together filled with hard work, trips to the beach, Disneyland, boating and fishing. Their house was always filled with family and friends sharing a holiday or a meal. They farmed the "Lazy D" with his dad and brothers, eventually branching out on his own as L. Bert Dekker Ranches on Pumphouse Road in White Swan. They retired in 1996. During retirement they spent many fun winters in Arizona with friends. In 2013 they sold their home to their grandson and moved to Quail Run in Yakima. They were married 57 and ½ years. He said the hardest thing he ever did was say goodbye to her on January 30, 2015.
There is much to say about 90 years of living. He loved a fast car and a faster boat. He was a master fisherman and loved being outdoors. He loved the "land." He could build anything, fix anything and grow anything. He loved old movies, especially World War II movies and books. He loved westerns because the good guy came out on top, and the bad guy got what was coming to him. He was a loyal friend, generous, giving people jobs when they needed them, food to feed their families and 2nd, 3rd & 4th chances. He was an expert farmer and a trusted source about leaf cutter bees, crops and machinery. He loved going to Hawaii, the beach, clam digging, flying, airplanes and playing cards. He represented everything good there was in the Yakima valley.
At his 90th birthday, when asked what he wished to be remembered for he replied, "I want to be remembered as a man who loved the Lord and his family." He was all of that and more. He loved the Lord for 70 years, his church family and the King James Bible. He loved his brothers and sisters. He was a great dad, gramps and little papa. He (and Karolyn) never missed an event where one of their grands or great grands were participating. He did pick-ups and drop-offs and was the first to say, "what do you need me to do?" He was dad and grandpa to everyone's friends as well. Everywhere he went someone would say "hey Grandpa!" To all of us, he gave this advice "keep sweet."
He left this world on December 17, 2024, to join Karolyn and all who have gone ahead in the promise of heaven. We his children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren thank him, honor him and celebrate his legacy. We count it an immense privilege to have had four generations together for so long.
Donations in his name may be made to Harrah Assembly of God, PO Box 29, Harrah, WA 98933. These funds will be used to feed and foster community in White Swan.