Thomas James “Tom” Decker Sr., 84, a resident of Grays Harbor for 78 years, died at Montesano Health and Rehabilitation Center, Montesano, Sunday, April 23, 2017, after a 15-year battle with cancer. Tom was born in Seattle on March 20, 1933. Then he and his mother, Winifred Layport, moved in 1939 to Copalis Beach and joined Bert Decker and his family through marriage. Tom attended a one-room schoolhouse at Copalis Beach through 8th grade and later attended Hoquiam High School.

He began working at a very young age digging clams and contributing to the family’s livelihood during hard economic times. During his teen-age years, Tom worked at Aloha Lumber Mill and later joined the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Being in the Air Force was one of his greatest accomplishments of his life and he was most proud of being the crew chief on the KC-97 air refueling aircraft. When he returned home in 1956, he became a commercial truck driver and worked for LeMay Sanitation and Graystone Co. for many years.

The Air Force initiated a love for flying that Tom later fulfilled at Harbor Air learning to fly single and multi-engine aircrafts, along with accomplishing many high level certifications. Other hobbies that he enjoyed were target shooting proficiency, hunting, fishing, wood working, reading and fitness walking. Tom walked his dog, Angel, daily at Morrison Riverfront Park and made many friends with a variety of people.

He was a member of the Aberdeen Order of the Eagles and a life-time member of both the Aberdeen Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 224 and the Aberdeen Elks Lodge 593. Tom also belonged to the International Footprint Association and was a reserve deputy with the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office.

Tom married Barbara Jean Radka at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Aberdeen, Wash. on April 17, 1954, and they were blessed to celebrate 63 years together. Tom is survived by his wife, Barbara; two daughters: Pamela Holliday (Randy) in Bellingham, Wash. and Diane Schroeder (Alan) in Boise, Idaho; a son, Thomas Decker (Lisa) in Helotes, Texas; two brothers: Wayne Decker, Hammond, Ore. and Kenneth Decker (Sandy) in Montesano; a sister: Donna Reed (Joe) in Marysville, Wash.; and five grandchildren.

A Celebration of Tom’s Life will be held on Friday, May 12, 2017, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Rotary Log Pavilion.

The family would like to thank Dr. Troeh and his staff, Dr. Li at the Providence Cancer Clinic and the staff at Montesano Health and Rehab.

A card of condolence with a message or a memory may be sent to the family at www.fernhillfuneral.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.