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Bruce Decker Obituary
Bruce Ivan Decker passed away on March 18, 2014. Bruce was born February 20, 1923 in Delta, Utah to Venice Hopkins and Ivan Decker. The family moved to Parowan, Utah that summer. Bruce worked at his dad's sawmill at Dry Valley. He was a ratchet setter by the time he was 11 years old and learned to drive loads of timber off the mountain by age 13. He was an athlete and a musician while attending Parowan High School. As a senior, Parowan's six-man football team, for which he played end, defeated Brigham Young High School for the State Football Championship. Bruce served in the US Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He later served in the Korean War. Upon returning from his military service in Europe, he worked for the Utah Park's Company. He first laid eyes on a statuesque blonde named Adele Sevy while working at Zion Lodge. He courted her and they married on June 20, 1948 in Cedar City, Utah, later solemnized in the St. George Temple.
Bruce worked for Iron County School District as an elementary and high school teacher, coach, administrator, and district vocational director. He served as the basketball coach at Parowan and Cedar High Schools and baseball coach at Cedar High School. He was fortunate to coach the "Seventh West Barbarians" to three Baseball State Championships.
Bruce and Adele served a Family History Mission in Salt Lake City and later served as ordinance workers in the St. George Temple. Bruce and Adele were blessed with four daughters and nine grandchildren.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents, Venice Hopkins and Ivan Decker; granddaughter, Kristen George; and son-in-law, Gordon George. Bruce is survived by his wife, Adele Sevy Decker; sister, June Decker Thorley, and daughters: Michelle (Jay) Decker, Leslie (David) Hawley, Ann Loraine Decker, and Marian Decker.
A Funeral service will be held on Saturday March 22, 2014 at the Cedarview Ward (1925 West 320 South) at 11:00 a.m. A viewing will be held Friday evening from 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Southern Utah Mortuary and before the funeral from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Cedarview Ward. Interment will be in the Cedar City Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be sent to www.sumortuary.com
The family would like to express their appreciation to the workers at Alliance, Kolob and Essential Care for their loving care of Bruce during the last month of his life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Bruce Decker
Holly Looney (Nail)
February 1, 2020
Dear Adele and Family, Sincere belated sympathy for loss of husband, loved one, Bruce. Although I'd never the pleasure of personally getting to know him, my late Grandmother, Laurel Decker - back in the day - would have her brother, Ivan over at 311 S. 9th St. house and many wonderful attributes and deeds were shared as I listened in. May God's comfort be your's until meeting again. Holly Looney (Nail) / ( Joy Decker Tingen and Cecil Lee Looney's daughter)
joseph Decker
April 17, 2014
I miss you grandpa we love you we will be safe there and thanks for being call me first grandson ever i love you more love,joey.decker
March 26, 2014
Dear Adele, (cousin) As one of his west field barbarians, I add my sympathy at Coach Decker's (Double's) passing. His influence in my life and that of my teammates is felt every day. I played shortstop on his first state championship baseball team and guard on the basketball team that finished 4th in the state. I'm sure he is enjoying seeing Travis (Puce) Nelson in the Spirit World. I still remember the prayer he gave at his funeral. I know your faith will sustain you till you are with him again. All my love, E. Reed Heywood, M.D. ( he called me 'pot')
Steve Decker
March 24, 2014
Sorry to hear about Bruce's passing. Every family member that worked with/for him has had only the greatest of things to day about him.
Pau Stokes
March 23, 2014
Coach Decker had and continues to have a lasting influence on my life. The work ethic he instilled in me and the and the love of the game of basketball are eternal and never ending.
V.Blaine Cutler
March 22, 2014
Dear Family of Bruce (Double) Decker. I had the privilege of knowing Coach from the time I was in the 6th grade thru my high school years and to our 45th high school reunion when I spoke to him last (2006). I first met him when he was obtaining his degree at the college and was doing physical tests with us students at North Elementary. In high school he was my basketball and baseball coach for all three years. I remember when I was the point on the Jr Varsity and at half time of our first game and leading by a good margin he wasn't happy. He turned to me and said " and who in the H--- told you, you could shoot every time you got the ball". So many memories of him driving the team bus over cedar mountain and driving fast, it was scary, wrestling with him in the gym. Our senior basketball team was favored to take state. we had a good team with Neil Roberts at center, Steve Cahoon and Stand Anderson at the wings and Spencer Jones and I at the guards. We lost to N Sevier in the first game then we went on to win the constellation championship.
He was a great mentor and wrote special words in my year book which have always meant a lot to me."You are a fine example of the kind of boy I'd like to have of my own". I'll always remember Coach Decker as a very important person in my youth.
I am most happy that he was a faithful church member to the end. Be well my friend until we meet again.
V.Blaine Cutler 1961
March 21, 2014
My sincere sympathy to the family for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2. Again my deepest sympathy.
March 21, 2014
Dear Adel and family. I was saddened to read about Bruce passing away. I remember the both of you while serving your mission at the Family History Department. My deepest sympathy goes out to you and your family. Thanks for the memories. I enjoyed your friendship. Love Kay Harding
Teresa Turner
March 21, 2014
What a great father and husband.
Love,
Russ and Teresa
March 21, 2014
Dear Adele (Cousin), As one of his West Field Barbarians, I want to express my sympathy at Bruce's (Double) passing. I played shortstop on his first State Championship team. I feel his influence on my life every day as do my teammates Im sure. He is rejoicing seeing again Travis (Puce) Nelson in the Sprit World. I still remember the prayer he gave at his funeral. I'm sure your faith will sustain you till you are with him again. All my love, E.Reed Heywood M.D. (he called me 'pot')
March 21, 2014
Dear Adele (cousin), As one of his west field barbarians I want to express my sympathy to the family at Bruce's (Double) passing. His influence on my life is still felt as I am sure it is on my former teammates. I played on his first state championship team as a shortstop. He will be rejoicing in meeting Travis (Puce) Nelson in the Spirit world. I still remember the prayer he gave at his funeral. I'm sure your faith will sustain you till you are with him again. All my love, E.Reed Heywood, M.D. (Pot)
Jeff & Julia Corry
March 21, 2014
So sorry to hear of the passing of your husband and father, Please know our thoughts and prayers will be with your family.
Bruce Decker
March 21, 2014
I miss you grandpa we love you
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