JAMES DECKER, age 75 years, of Delta, Pennsylvania, died on Saturday, January 22, 2011 at Hart Heritage Estates in Street, Maryland. He was the husband of Carole (Winterling) Decker with whom he had shared over 50 years of marriage.

Born on November 11, 1935 in Baltimore, Maryland, he was a son of the late John and Isbelle (Evans) Decker. Mr. Decker grew up loving the Baltimore Colts and Orioles. He met his wife to be on the Buddy Dean Radio Show, and they were married in 1960. After two years of marriage, he and his wife moved to Patchogue, New York where their son, Chris was born. After spending 18 years there among cherished friends, they moved to Delta in 1980 where they spent the rest of their married life.

In 1976 with God's help, he battled and defeated colon cancer. Every day since, he was thankful to God for allowing him see his son grow up, meet his daughter-in-law and to share precious moments with his three grandsons.

Throughout his life, Jim participated in a variety of faith activities where he shared his faith in God with others. He was a member of St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Bel Air, Maryland where he served as Youth Committee Chairman, taught Sunday School, and was a greeter on Saturday nights. He loved the Lord, always had a silly joke for someone, and cared about every person he came in contact with. He had a passion for helping the homeless through FCCAU in Bel Air and cherished cooking them a hot breakfast. Jim loved to cook and eat and never met a food he didn't like.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by:

A son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Meredith Decker of Cary, North Carolina

Three grandsons, Will, Aaron, and Matthew

A sister and brother-in-law, Jennie and Bob Noble of Hanover, Pennsylvania

His sister-in-laws and their husbands, Diane and Ken Clark, Kathy and Paul Glagola

A long list of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends

Visitations will be held on Thursday, January 27, 2011 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Harkins Funeral Home, 600 Main Street, Delta, Pennsylvania.

Funeral services will be on Friday, the 28th at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. His minister, Pastor Blaise Sedney will officiate.

Interment will be in Slate Ridge Cemetery, Delta, Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate memorial contributions to Jim's passion for helping the homeless, Faith Communities and Civic Agencies United Inc., (FCCAU) 1221-C Brass Mill Road, Bel Camp, Maryland 21017. www.fccau.org