Hayden Lee Decker's Obituary
Hayden Lee DeckerHayden Lee Decker went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 26, 2014. His family loved him dearly and will miss him very much. We are comforted knowing he is with God and all the saints. Hayden will be remembered for his love of his wife, Aileen, his immediate and extended family, friends, church, the Kingdom of God and his servant hood to everyone and also, his dry humor and whit. Hayden and Aileen both played basketball and had the same number “13”. They met at a basketball game in Farmington, Arkansas and June 16, 2014 they celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary. Hayden was born June 25, 1922 in Farmington, Arkansas, which is 5 miles west of Fayetteville. He lived there and attended school and graduated from the Farmington school system in 1940. In September 1941 he joined the U.S. Air Corp. His training took place in Illinois and was soon sent to the South Pacific Theatre of WWII, Australia, and New Guinea. He was away 3 years, 3 months and 3 days. Upon returning to the U.S. July 2nd, 1945, he and Aileen Clement married on July 16th of that same year. Hayden then entered the University of Arkansas College of Agriculture and graduated in 1949. His major was Agriculture with a minor in Education. Hayden pursued a masters degree also. The Kirby, Arkansas high school called and hired him to set up their new vocational agriculture department. Hayden enjoyed that job in teaching high school agriculture for two and a half years. He also supervised 2 on the job training classes for veterans learning how to farm. During his time in Kirby, Hayden also assisted in getting a telephone system set up for the town and two nearby towns. In 1952, Hayden and his family moved to Tulsa to begin his career at American Airlines. Hayden retired after 31 years of service in 1983. After Hayden and Aileen married, they joined Central Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He felt that he had known God and Christ since he was a child, but had not made a public profession. Hayden made a public profession of Christ there and he and Aileen began their Christian walk together. Hayden said, “I knew there was no other way for us to raise a family.” Hayden and Aileen attended several churches in Arkansas according to where they were living. Their home church in Tulsa was Sheridan Avenue Methodist Church. The couple and children attended there about 28 years. Hayden served the Lord in almost every aspect of the church including: President of the Methodist Men’s group, Vice Chairman of the Board, taught 6th grade, led a membership class, worked with the youth group, a member of the choir, led home Bible studies and did membership visitation. He also helped maintain the Sheridan Avenue church cabin at the Methodist Camp Ground on Fr. Gibson Lake, and enjoyed taking the youth out on the lake in his boat to teach them to water ski. Hayden and Aileen moved to Verdigris in 1979 and joined the Methodist church in Verdigris in 1983. Hayden and Aileen along with fellow Christian friends had a home dedication of their new home and became focused on using the home for God’s work and purpose. They have hosted pastors while the parsonage was be prepared, it has been a host home for the singing groups, speakers, missionaries, students from Rhema and many others including room for aiding family. Hayden has been equally active after his “retirement” in serving our Lord and carrying out the great commission of Christ. At Verdigris United Methodist Church he enjoyed supervising a 14 month project of adding 8 classrooms and remodeling the fellowship hall in 1983. Hayden mowed and cared for the property, taught in the adult division for 20 years, worked in the official operation of the church board for many years, taught young married couples class, has done membership visitation, has helped to prepare maps for the evangelism team and was always ready to share his love of Christ and give that love to others. He taught the Challengers Sunday School class that looked at the Bible one scripture at a time. Hayden has raised 2 children, 6 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was a great mechanic, gardener and as his grandchildren say, “Granddad can fix anything!”Hayden is survived by: His precious wife, Aileen (Mary Aileen Clement Decker)His children: Mary Lynn Huskey and Dwayne Lee DeckerHis grandchildren: Mary Christine Leeviraphan, Theodore Joseph Hirst, III, Aaron Kyle Decker, Chandra Mignon Deprez, Stacy Lynn Terhune, Rebekah Ann HerreraHis 16 great grandchildrenHayden was preceded by: His parents: James Edward Decker May 14, 1885 – April 2, 1970 Lillie (Fritts) Decker July 5, 1988 – March 3, 1976His siblings: Lola Marjorie (Decker) Pitts March 1, 1912 – April 26, 1986 Clarence Burton Decker May 25, 1919 – December 3, 1939 Harlan Eugene Decker February 13, 1925 – March 6, 1925 Jack Lavon Decker June 22, 1928 – July 8, 1976Great Grandchild: Anthony Maxwell Huskey (Herrera) April 15, 2000-July 15, 2000nFuneral Service January 2nd, 2015-10:00am-Verdigris United Methodist ChurchDonations may be made to Verdigris United Methodist Church under the Decker Memorial.
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