Gerald Decker Obituary

Jerry, a Westside Colorado Springs native, passed away at home on September 14, 2011. He was born March 16, 1948 to the late Everett and Lorene (Smith) Decker and attended Whittier, Howbert, West and Palmer. He married his wife, Mary, in 1969 in Chicago. As a teen he worked several jobs including Pikes Peak Speedway, Big 4 Auto Pars, Bud's Muffler, Widner Automotive and Daniels Chevrolet. Other than service in the Air Force and six years working for Halliburton running natural gas plants, he spent hislifeon the Westside. When he returned home he worked for Transit Mix, Colorado College and Daniels again. He will be best remembered for his years of service to his customers at Pikes Peak True Value/Do It Best and, most recently, Ace Hardware Uintah Gardens. He will also be sorely missed by his neighbors who relied on him for any mechanical and "fix-it" advice. He was an avid race fan and worked on several crews for the Colorado and Pikes Peak Hill Climbs and also spent several years with his wife on the Safety Crew for the Colorado Hill Climb Association. Jerry was preceded in death by his son, Michael and brother, Ron. He is survived by his wife and soul mate, Mary,his daughter, Katherine and husband Scott Barnhart, his most precious grandchild Grace Barhart, nephew, Greg Decker and numerous sister-in-laws, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews in the Chicago area. A Celebration of Jerry's Life and reception will be held Saturday, October 1st beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Al Kaly Shrine Club, 6 South 33rd Street in Colorado Springs.